The Buffalo Sabres were not a healthy bunch when they faced the Tampa Bay Lightning earlier in the year. Now healthy, do they have a chance?
The Buffalo Sabres square off with the Tampa Bay Lightning for the second time this season. In their first matchup, the Sabres showed grit and toughness, but could not pull off the W. This time around, the Sabres are a healthier bunch and have proven themselves capable of beating more experienced teams.
So can they pull off the upset tonight? Let’s check out the odds and forge a hypothesis here.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Lightning Odds – Game 22
Per Fan Duel, the Buffalo Sabres are +1.5 underdogs at home to the Lightning. The Over/Under sits at 6.5, and the Sabres moneyline is +126. The Lightning’s moneyline is -152.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Lightning Prediction – Game 22
The Sabres played the Lightning well the last time these two teams met, but they eventually gassed out. With a healthier defensive rotation and no surprise injuries at the time of this writing, it is possible for this team to pull off the upset.
They also took their loss against the New Jersey Devils as a learning experience, and they started to figure out what works against such tough rosters. If they can continue the course tonight, they have a chance to pull off the upset here.
Overall, given the way they played in their last three games, it could be the start of another hot run for this Buffalo Sabres team, so I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt and predict a 4-3 win here. Tonight, I don’t foresee them playing catchup hockey either, and they will instead be forced to hang on to a two-goal lead before allowing one late.
Look for a tightly-contested ending here, which the Sabres will escape with. But you can also expect the Lightning to make one massive push when they empty the net in the final minute.
(Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change)
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