The Tampa Bay Lightning are one of the hottest teams in the league right now and they have a great chance to keep that up when they host the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night.
The Bolts bounced back from a 2-1 road loss in Florida with a 6-2 drubbing of Columbus on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Sabres lost their fourth straight by a 6-2 final score that same night.
My Sabres vs. Lightning picks expect the Bolts to stay hot at home in the best NHL picks on Thursday, March 6.
Sabres vs Lightning prediction
My best bet
Lightning -1.5 (+105 at DraftKings)
My analysis
The Tampa Bay Lightning are on an absolute heater right now. They’ve outscored their opponents 21-7 in six games since the 4 Nations Face-Off break and 41-17 during their 9-1-0 stretch.
On the flip side, the Buffalo Sabres have lost four straight while getting outscored 19-9 in that span after two straight wins out of the break.
The Bolts are deservedly huge favorites tonight at home at -250, so we’re looking to the puck line at even money or better.
Of Tampa Bay’s 36 wins, 28 have come by at least two goals. That includes 17 of 22 wins at home and each of the last eight wins overall. The Sabres also tend to lose big with 24 of their 36 losses by margin.
Sabres vs Lightning same-game parlay (SGP)
Lightning -1.5
Nikita Kucherov 3+ shots
Nikita Kucherov 1+ assists
Nikita Kucherov is leading the way for the Lightning this season and honestly deserves more recognition in the Hart Trophy odds. He has 90 points, including 62 assists, in 58 games for 22 more points than the second most (Brandon Hagel) on the team.
The Russian winger also leads the team with 201 shots on the year, so he’s been putting pucks on net while dishing out helpers. He has 3+ SOG in nine of his last 11 games and an assist in 16 of his last 24.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Sabres vs Lightning odds
Sabres vs Lightning live odds
Sabres vs Lightning opening odds
- Puck line: Buffalo +1.5 (-125) | Tampa Bay -1.5 (+120)
- Moneyline: Buffalo +185 | Tampa Bay -225
- Over/Under: Over 6.5 | Under 6.5
Sabres vs Lightning trend
The Lightning have covered the Puck Line in 49 of their last 85 games (+21.12 units / 18% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Sabres vs. Lightning.
How to watch Sabres vs Lightning
| Location | Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL |
| Date | Thursday, 3-6-2025 |
| Puck drop | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Sabres vs Lightning latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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