The Buffalo Sabres are still just four points out of a wild card slot that nobody seems to want. Can they move one step closer to that second slot tonight?
The Buffalo Sabres are still in playoff contention, despite their embarrassing loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night. Their margin of error has grown slimmer, so it’s not the best time of the year to play a team like the Tampa Bay Lightning, who the Blue and Gold have not upended in quite a while.
And even though the task seems to be improbable, it’s not impossible. One reason is that the Sabres went on the road earlier this season and exorcised their demons regarding another team they routinely struggled against, the Boston Bruins. So what are two more teams, one being the Lightning tonight, and the other, the Florida Panthers? Let’s check out the odds.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Lightning Odds – Game 56
Per Fan Duel, the Buffalo Sabres are +1.5 underdogs on the road against the Lightning. The Over/Under is 7, and the Sabres moneyline is +190. The Lightning’s moneyline is -235.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Lightning Prediction – Game 56
As poorly as the Sabres have played in February, they could wind up pulling off an improbable upset. They didn’t beat Tampa the first two times around, but they played them well back in November.
So my first prediction is, ironically, that you won’t see a blowout tonight. The Sabres are going to enter this contest with something to prove, and they are going to prove that they’re better than they’ve looked against top-tier teams so far in February.
That said, it’s tough to envision the Blue and Gold taking this one. Expect a hardfought game, one of those losses where the losing team legitimately fights hard, and that it’s not just a figure of speech. But overall, the Sabres just aren’t there yet to exorcise these demons, and they lose it 4-3 in a closer-than-expected matchup.
(Game odds update regularly and are subject to change)
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