Game 3
Tampa Bay Lightning (1-2-0) vs. Buffalo Sabres (0-2-0)
Puck Drop: 7:30 PM EST Key Bank Center Buffalo, NY
TV: ESPN
Radio: WGR-550
Know Your Opponent
Tampa Bay Lightning
Record: (1-2-0)
Last Game: 5-2 loss against the Ottawa Senators
Division Ranking: 6th place in the Atlantic Division
PP: 4th (33.33%)
PK: 12th (85.71%)
What to Watch:
1) Sabres Look for First Win Against Tampa Team on the Ropes
The Buffalo Sabres had a dismal season start, losing their first two games and have yet to get two points in 60 minutes. The Bolts won their first contest, a 5-3 season opening victory against the Nashville Predators. Since then, the Lightning have gone on a losing streak, falling to the Red Wings and Senators, consecutively.
Buffalo hopes to make it a three-peat. The Sabres bested the Bolts in recent meetings, not losing to Tampa since Nov. 28, 2022. The Blue and Gold can come away with a win, if all the team’s offensive lines produce, something that hasn’t happened so far.
2) Stay Out of the Box, But Put the Visitors in It
One of Buffalo’s major weaknesses in recent years is not capitalizing with the man advantage. Tampa, however, has no problem scoring with the extra attacker, ranking an NHL 4th in power play opportunities. Not surprisingly, the Sabres are dead last in that category, not scoring on any power plays this year. Of course, it’s early in the season and the team hasn’t had any PP chances to date.
When it comes to penalty kills, the Sabres and Lightning are almost even, ranking a league 11th and 12th, respectively. The home team’s best strategy should be stay out of the box, but try to get the visitors to spend time there instead. Tampa’s better at PPs than PKs, so if the Sabres get a power play, their offense can practice trying to score on one. After all, it’s a new season and it’s never too late to learn.
3) Bet on Underdog Sabres to Score an Upset
DBTB readers know I frequently cite Mike Fink of Winners and Whiners.com in my Sabres preview stories. This post is no exception. Fink echoes the consensus wagering view that Tampa will prevail in this matchup. The Bolts are -110 moneyline favorites, with Fink believing Kucherov, Stamkos and Co. will pile on the goals, despite Tampa’s recent road struggles and Stamkos being day-to-day.
If you disagree with Fink and feel that Tage Thompson comes alive in this one and the team’s whole defense finally steps up, bet on the home underdogs and enjoy a great payout if they pull it off.
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Jeff Skinner – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch
JJ Peterka – Dylan Cozens – Peyton Krebs
Jordan Greenway – Casey Mittelstadt – Zach Benson
Zemgus Girgensons – Tyson Jost – Kyle Okposo
Defense
Rasmus Dahlin – Mattias Samuelsson
Owen Power – Henri Jokiharju
Connor Clifton – Erik Johnson
Goaltenders
Devon Levi (likely) Eric Comrie
Tampa Bay Lightning
Forwards
Brandon Hegel – Brayden Point – Nikita Kucherov
Tanner Jeannot – Anthony Cirelli – Michael Eyssimont
Connor Sheary – Nick Paul – Alex Barre-Boulet
Austin Watson – Luke Glendening – Waltteri Merela
Defense
Victor Hedman – Erik Cernak
Mikhail Sergachev – Darren Raddysh
Zach Bogosian – Nicklaus Perbix
Goaltenders
Jonas Johansson (likely), Matt Tomkins