Tampa Bay Lightning vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 4/5/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

Odds/Point Spread: Lightning (-160) Sabres (+132)

The Buffalo Sabres (32-36-6) will try to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning (44-25-5) at KeyBank Center on Saturday. The odds on this game have Tampa Bay at -160 while Buffalo is at +132. The betting total is set at 6.5.

The Tampa Bay Lightning were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 4-1 victory over the Islanders in their previous contest . Tampa Bay garnered 15 penalty minutes in this game. They also had 4 opportunities with more players on the ice but weren't able to score. The Lightning had a great offensive game plan going into this one and it showed in the victory. For the game, they converted 4 of the 24 shots they put on net.

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In reference to their goal scoring prowess, the Tampa Bay Lightning have earned 266 goals (2nd in the NHL) so far this season and have given up 194. For the year, they have scored 93 points and their points percentage comes in at .628. Tampa Bay has accounted for 208 power play opportunities and they have notched 53 goals out of those tries, garnering them a percentage of 25.48%. When at even strength, the Lightning have allowed the opponent to score 161 goals while scoring 213 when they are on offense. Tampa Bay has attempted 2,124 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 12.5%. The Lightning so far have had 2,087 shots tried against them and have earned a save percentage of .907. Tampa Bay Lightning opponents have earned 187 power play opportunities (25th in the NHL) and have earned 33 goals in those chances.

The man protecting the net in this game is Andrei Vasilevskiy. Opponents have been able to score 1,323 goals versus Vasilevskiy in his professional career and his average for goals against per game is 2.82. Vasilevskiy has played in 535 games over the course of his NHL career. His save percentage currently is .917 for his 28,191 minutes played. He has earned a record of 329-162-33 and he was named the starter in 525 games. In his professional hockey career, Vasilevskiy has accumulated 303 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .577. Vasilevskiy has had 15,968 shots taken against him and he has 14,645 saves.

The last time they were on the ice, Buffalo went up against the Senators in an outing where the Sabres got the win by a final of 5-2. The Sabres notched 5 goals out of the 22 shots on goal they attempted. They had 1 chance on the power play in this outing but weren't able to notch a goal.

Buffalo has put up 2,025 shots (26th in hockey) and has a shot percentage of 11.90%, while allowing the other team 2,139 shots. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 76.34% on their opponents 224 power play opportunities, and their save percentage comes in at 87.8%. They have a total of 213 opportunities on the power play and they have earned a power play rate of 18.31%. The Sabres have accumulated 202 goals at even strength and 39 goals (24th in pro hockey) while on the power play. They have allowed 262 goals to be scored by way of 209 goals at even strength and 53 goals while they had less men on the ice. On the year, the Buffalo Sabres have 241 goals, 70 points, as well as a points percentage of .473.

For the opposition you are going to see James Reimer in the crease. He has accrued 13,850 saves out of 15,221 shots attempted, giving him a save percentage of .910. Reimer is sitting with a career record of 222-185-65 and has participated in 520 contests. He has made the start in 474 games and has racked up 27,514 minutes. Reimer's percentage of quality starts is 51.9% and he has accumulated 246 quality starting assignments in his career. The opposition is averaging 2.99 goals per contest and he has given up 1,371 goals overall.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Buffalo (+132)

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