Buffalo Sabres vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction, 4/15/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Date: Monday, April 15, 2024

Location: Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL

TV: Bally Sports Sun

Odds/Point Spread: Sabres (+150) Lightning (-182)

The Tampa Bay Lightning (44-28-8) will take on the Buffalo Sabres (38-37-6) at Amalie Arena on Monday. The odds on this game have the Sabres at +150 and the Lightning are sitting at -182. The betting total is set at 7.

The Buffalo Sabres will look to clean up some issues after taking a 3-2 defeat to the Panthers in their previous contest . Buffalo had 19 mins in the box in this matchup. The Sabres had a below average offensive performance in the loss. Additionally, they had 2 chances with the advantage and were able to net 1 goal. For the game, they were able to notch a goal on 2 of the 29 shots they put on net.

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Regarding their scoring capabilities, the Buffalo Sabres have accounted for 240 goals (22nd in hockey) this year and have given up 241. For the year, they have scored 82 points and their points percentage is sitting at .506. Buffalo comes into tonight with 221 power play chances and they have notched 37 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a rate of 16.74%. While playing at even strength, the Sabres have given up 192 goals while having 203 when they are on offense. Buffalo has attempted 2,500 shots and has a shooting percentage of 9.6%. The Sabres have seen 2,369 shots tried against them and have earned a save percentage of .898. Buffalo Sabres opponents have amassed 241 power play tries (16th in pro hockey) and have a total of 49 goals in those chances.

The player in the crease for this game is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. In his professional hockey career, Luukkonen is sitting with 53 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .552. His save percentage currently is .904 during his 5,711 mins between the pipes. Luukkonen has seen 2,950 shot attempts against him and has accrued 2,666 total saves. Opponents have tallied 284 goals against Luukkonen in his career and his goals against average per game is 2.98. He has compiled a mark of 47-41-10 and he started in 96 games. Luukkonen has participated in 100 games throughout his NHL career.

When they took the ice last, Tampa Bay went up against the Capitals in a matchup where the Lightning went home in defeat by a final score of 4-2. They had 1 power play opportunity in this contest but weren't able to score a goal. The Lightning recorded 2 goals out of the 34 shots on goal they took.

The Lightning have tallied 210 goals at even strength and 70 goals (1st in professional hockey) while on the power play. Tampa Bay has taken 2,336 shots (22nd in professional hockey) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 11.99%, while allowing the opposition 2,358 shots. On the season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have accounted for 280 goals, 96 points, in addition to a points percentage of .600. They have granted a total of 259 goals to be scored by of a combination of 220 goals at even strength and 39 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have earned 242 opportunities on the power play and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 28.93%. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 82.97% on their oppositions 229 tries on the power play, and their save percentage sits at 89.0%.

Across the rink you are expected to see Andrei Vasilevskiy protecting the goal. He has accounted for 13,162 stops out of the 14,357 shots taken against him, giving him a save percentage of .917. Vasilevskiy holds a career record of 293-142-30 and has been in net for 476 games. He has made the start in 466 games and has played for a total of 27,991 mins. Vasilevskiy's quality start percentage comes in at 56.9% and he has 265 quality starts in his pro hockey career. Teams are averaging 2.56 goals/game and he has allowed 1,195 goals altogether.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Buffalo (+150)

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