Tampa Bay Lightning at Buffalo Sabres odds, picks and predictions
The Tampa Bay Lightning (1-2-0) and Buffalo Sabres (0-2-0) meet Tuesday at KeyBank Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Lightning vs. Sabres odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Lightning have stumbled out of the chute, and a big reason is that they're missing their captain C Steven Stamkos and G Andrei Vasilevskiy. Stamkos is questionable to play, as he makes his way back from a lower-body injury, but Vasilevskiy is out until at least late November or early December.
Tampa has lost the first 2 games on the road trip in Detroit and Ottawa by a combined 11-6 score, and the Over is 2-0-1 this season.
Buffalo is off to a slow start, getting outscored 8-3 in a pair of losses to the New York Rangers and New York Islanders. The Sabres were expected to contend for a playoff spot this season, but it's been more of the same futility so far.
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Lightning at Sabres odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:50 a.m. ET.
Lightning at Sabres projected goalies
Jonas Johansson (1-1-0, 4.09 GAA, .889 SV%) vs. Devon Levi (0-2-0, 3.55 GAA, .881 SV%)
Johansson is expected to do most of the heavy lifting until Vassy is healthy enough to return for the Lightning. He was decent enough against Nashville in the opener, allowing just 3 goals on 31 shots in the 5-3 win. However, he was snowed under in a 6-4 loss at Detroit, allowing 5 goals on 41 shots.
Levi had dominated down the stretch last season, and the hope was that he and the Sabres would have a hot start. It's been the complete opposite, as he has allowed 7 goals on 59 shots. Facing a still dangerous Lightning offense won't do him any favors.
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Lightning at Sabres picks and predictions
Prediction
Lightning 4, Sabres 3
The LIGHTNING (-110) are a value play on the road. These teams split the season series 2-2 in 2022-23, and that's a big reason why the Lightning aren't favored by more. But the Sabres (-110) just haven't shown any signs of doing anything differently this season. They just haven't found a way to win, and until they do, keep fading them.
The Lightning +1.5 (-250) will cost you 2½ times your potential return, if you need a little insurance and can't bet Tampa Bay straight up. That's too much risk and not enough reward.
AVOID, and just focus on the moneyline instead.
Over/Under 7 is not a recommended play, either. I think the total comes down right on the number.
With the way these teams have played early on, there is a slight lean to going high on the total. If you look to the ALTERNATE LINE - OVER 6.5 (-145), that's not priced too much out of line.
