Buffalo Sabres vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction, 2/28/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026

Location: Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL

TV: WXPX-TV

The Buffalo Sabres (33-19-6) are headed to Amalie Arena on Saturday where they will attempt to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning (38-15-4).

The Buffalo Sabres came out of this game feeling pretty good about themselves with a 2-1 victory against the Devils in their previous contest . Buffalo accounted for 9 mins in the box in this contest. Furthermore, they had 3 power play opportunities but weren't able to make the most of them. The Sabres had a below average offensive performance in the win. For the game, they scored on 2 out of the 30 shots they put on net.

Buffalo Sabres opponents have recorded 156 power play opportunities (27th in the league) and have earned 27 goals in those chances. The Sabres have had 1,741 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .898. Buffalo has taken 1,605 shots and holds a shot percentage of 12.1%. While playing at even strength, the Sabres have surrendered 150 goals while notching 160 themselves. Buffalo has accumulated 172 power play chances and they have scored 34 goals during those advantages, garnering them a rate of 19.77%. For the season, they have scored 72 points and their points percentage is sitting at .621. In relation to their goal scoring prowess, the Buffalo Sabres have accumulated 194 goals (10th in the National Hockey League) over the course of the season and have allowed 177.

The man in goal for this game is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Opponents have notched 508 goals against Luukkonen in his NHL career and his average for goals against per game is 2.95. Luukkonen has been involved in 177 games during his hockey career. His save percentage is at .899 during his 8,267 mins guarding the cage. He has amassed a record of 83-72-17 and he has gotten the start in 172 games. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Luukkonen has compiled 93 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .541. Luukkonen has seen 5,020 shots taken against him and has recorded 4,512 saves.

When they were on the ice last, Tampa Bay went up against the Hurricanes in an outing where the Lightning ended up taking the loss by a tally of 5-4. They had 2 power play opportunities in this game and earned 1 out of those opportunities. The Lightning netted 4 goals of the 28 shots on goal they pursued.

Tampa Bay has tried 1,612 shots (19th in pro hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 12.59%, while allowing their opponents 1,516 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 83.15% on their oppositions 178 opportunities on the power play, and their save percentage currently sits at 90.4%. They have a total of 180 opportunities on the power play and they have accumulated a power play rate of 22.22%. The Lightning have 163 goals at even strength and 40 goals (10th in the NHL) while on the power play. They have permitted 145 goals to be scored by way of 115 goals at even strength and 30 goals while they had less men on the ice. During this campaign, the Tampa Bay Lightning have earned a total of 203 goals, 80 points, in addition to a points percentage of .702.

Across the rink you are likely to see Andrei Vasilevskiy defending the goal. Vasilevskiy is sitting with a career record of 359-170-38 and has participated in 578 contests. Vasilevskiy's quality start percentage comes out to 58.8% and he has qualified for 334 quality starting assignments in his hockey career. He has compiled 15,685 stops out of 17,100 shots attempted, giving him a percentage of .917. His opponents are averaging 2.49 goals per contest and he has yielded 1,415 goals altogether. He got the starting nod in 568 games and his ice time sits at 28,715 minutes.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Buffalo

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