Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Buffalo Sabres odds, tips and betting trends

Data Skrive

Feb. 28, 2026, 1:51 a.m. ET

Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) celebrates his goal against the New Jersey Devils during the second period at Prudential Center.

The No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference, the Tampa Bay Lightning (38-15-4), host the conference’s third-ranked squad, the Buffalo Sabres (34-19-6), on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. ET at Benchmark International Arena. The game airs on ESPN+.

Tampa Bay lost 5-4 on the road in its last game on Feb. 26 against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Buffalo won its last game 3-2 on the road against the Florida Panthers on Feb. 27.

Before watching this matchup, here’s what you need to know about Saturday’s action on the ice.

Watch Lightning vs. Sabres on ESPN+!Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Buffalo Sabres odds and betting lines

NHL odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Saturday at 1:51 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.

Favorite: Lightning (-239)Underdog: Sabres (+195)Over/under: 6.5Lightning vs. Sabres game info and start timeDate: Saturday, February 28, 2026Time: 7 p.m. ETTV channel: ESPN+Live stream: Watch on ESPN+Watch Lightning vs. Sabres on ESPN+!Lightning stats and trendsTampa Bay has won 30 of its 45 games as a favorite this season.The Lightning have won three of the four games they have played with moneyline odds shorter than -239.Tampa Bay has a 70.5% chance of winning this game, looking at the moneyline odds.Tampa Bay and its opponent have combined to put up more than 6.5 goals in 25 of 57 games this season.In the past 10 games, the Lightning have claimed 90.0% of the possible points with an 8-2-0 record.They have averaged 3.9 goals per game (39 total) over that span.On the defensive end, the Lightning have given up 25 goals (2.5 per game) in those 10 matchups.Sabres stats and trendsThe Sabres have secured an upset victory in 18, or 58.1%, of the 31 games they have played as an underdog this season.Buffalo’s moneyline odds have been +195 or longer twice this season, and it lost both.Sportsbooks have implied, based on the moneyline in this matchup, that the Sabres have a 33.9% chance to win.Buffalo’s games have gone over 6.5 goals in 28 of 59 chances this season.In their past 10 matchups, the Sabres are 7-2-1 to earn 80.0% of the possible points.They have put up 37 goals over that time.Over on the defensive side, the Sabres have allowed 24 goals (2.4 per game) in those 10 matchups.

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