Buffalo Sabres vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction, 2/29/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Date: Thursday, February 29, 2024

Location: Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL

TV: Bally Sports Sun

Odds/Point Spread: Sabres (+155) Lightning (-195)

The Buffalo Sabres (27-28-4) are traveling to Amalie Arena on Thursday where they will take on the Tampa Bay Lightning (32-24-5). The line on this matchup has the Sabres at +155 while the Lightning open at -195. The over/under has been set at 7.

The Buffalo Sabres were on the losing side of the ice with a 3-2 defeat against the Panthers their last time on the ice. The Sabres didn't have a great showing offensively in the defeat. In the game, they finished 2 out of the 30 shots they attempted. Furthermore, they had 4 power play chances and were able to notch 1 goal. Buffalo compiled 14 penalty mins in this contest.

Buffalo Sabres opponents have earned 182 power play opportunities (16th in pro hockey) and have a total of 38 goals in those attempts. The Sabres thus far have had 1,725 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .897. Buffalo has tried 1,871 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 9.1%. At even strength, the Sabres have given up 139 goals while having 144 as an offensive unit. Buffalo steps onto the ice with 171 power play opportunities and they have added 26 goals out of those advantages, garnering them a rate of 15.20%. For the current campaign, they have 58 points and their points percentage is sitting at .492. In reference to their goal scoring prowess, the Buffalo Sabres have racked up 170 goals (21st in pro hockey) this year and have given up 177.

The player protecting the goal in this game is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Throughout his time in hockey, Luukkonen is sitting with 41 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .532. His save percentage is at .904 for his 4,621 minutes on the ice. Luukkonen has had 2,430 shots taken against him and he has 2,196 total saves. The opposition has scored 234 goals against Luukkonen in his pro career and his goals against rate is 3.04. He has accumulated a record of 37-34-8 and he has gotten the start in 77 games. Luukkonen has participated in 81 contests throughout his pro hockey career.

When they were on the ice last, Tampa Bay opposed the Flyers in a game where the Lightning ended up losing by a score of 6-2. They had 2 power play chances in this one but didn't score a goal. The Lightning notched 2 goals out of the 22 shots on goal they pursued.

Tampa Bay has tried 1,805 shots (18th in professional hockey) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 11.41%, while allowing the other team 1,809 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 80.70% on the other teams 171 chances on the power play, and their save percentage is currently 88.6%. They have a tally of 183 opportunities on the power play and they have a power play rate of 28.96%. The Lightning have earned 153 goals at even strength and 53 goals (1st in the NHL) while on the power play. They have permitted 207 goals to be scored by of a combination of 174 goals at even strength and 33 goals while they were shorthanded. For the season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have accumulated 206 goals, 69 points, and a points percentage of .566.

Across the ice you will find Andrei Vasilevskiy protecting the net. Vasilevskiy has accumulated a career mark of 283-138-28 and has been in net for 460 games. Vasilevskiy's quality start percentage is 56.9% and he has made 256 quality starting assignments in his career. He has tallied 12,746 saves out of the 13,899 shots attempted, giving him a save percentage of .917. Teams are averaging 2.56 goals per game and he has allowed 1,153 goals in total. He has started in 450 games and has played 27,035 mins.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take Buffalo (+155)

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