Tampa Bay Lightning (1-2-0) vs. Buffalo Sabres (0-2-0)
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Buffalo Sabres 10/17/23 – In the midst of the NHL’s engaging regular season, the Tampa Bay Lightning, holding a record of 1-2-0, are preparing to compete against the Buffalo Sabres, who are yet to secure a win with a record of 0-2-0. As both teams strive to establish a commanding presence early in the season, the forthcoming encounter at KeyBank Center on Tuesday, October 17th, has sparked anticipation among hockey enthusiasts, many of whom seek free NHL advice daily.
The Lightning have showcased significant offensive capabilities through their team leaders. Notably, their defensive stalwart, Victor Hedman, has accumulated 5 points in just 3 games. Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov are not far behind, amassing 4 points apiece in their respective matches. These figures underscore the challenges the Sabres’ defense will likely confront, particularly given Hedman’s adept playmaking and Stamkos’s precision shooting.
Conversely, the Sabres have demonstrated a degree of offensive promise. Both Zach Benson and Casey Mittelstadt have garnered 2 points apiece. While their individual statistics may not rival those of the Lightning, the combined efforts and cohesion of the Sabres’ lineup may indeed test the defensive mettle of their opponents.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Buffalo Sabres 10/17/23 Game Info
| When: | Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 7:30 PM ET |
| Where: | KeyBank Center |
| TV: | ESPN |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Jonas Johansson vs. Goaltender Devon Levi
Jonas Johansson, standing guard for the Tampa Bay Lightning, has been a critical element in the net. Over 2 games, he’s managed to pull off 64 saves, showcasing his reflexes and anticipation. However, his goals against per game, averaging at 4.09, suggests there’s room for improvement. As Tampa Bay locks horns with Buffalo, Johansson’s resilience and ability to fend off rapid-fire shots, especially from key playmakers like Mittelstadt, will be instrumental in setting the tone for the Lightning.
Conversely, Buffalo’s Devon Levi has been quite the revelation. In his 2 games, he’s accumulated 52 saves with a commendable save percentage of 0.881. While these statistics reflect a promising start, his real test lies ahead as he’s set to face some of the league’s best sharpshooters, such as Kucherov and Stamkos. Levi’s agility, combined with his capacity to read offensive plays, will be crucial in Buffalo’s endeavor to challenge and potentially upset the favored Lightning.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: Tampa Bay Lightning -143, Total Odds: 7
The current betting landscape seems to slightly favor the Lightning. With the given odds, bettors might find value in considering Tampa Bay for the outright win. However, with a total of 7, there’s potential for a high-scoring game, reflecting recent trends.
Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Trends
In their recent form, Tampa Bay has witnessed an OVER in 10 of their last 14 games, indicating a tendency for high-scoring matches. Although they’ve faced some losses, going 2-6 SU in their last 8 games, their dominance over Buffalo, reflected by an 11-3 SU in the past 14 games against them, cannot be ignored. However, their road game form, standing at 3-9 SU in the last 12, raises questions about their chances away from home.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Trends
Buffalo has consistently seen an OVER against Tampa Bay in 5 of their last 6 encounters. Their home form is relatively promising, with a 4-2 SU in their last 6 games. But the Sabres will be cautious, especially considering the trend that has the total going OVER in 4 of their last 5 home games against Tampa Bay. Their Tuesday night form, unfortunately, has not been the best, reflected in a 0-6 SU in their last 6 Tuesday games.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Buffalo Sabres 10/17/23 Betting Picks
Taking into consideration the performances and trends of both teams, it seems that the Lightning have a slight upper hand, especially given their historical performance against Buffalo. However, the Sabres’ resilience at home, paired with Tampa Bay’s recent road struggles, can pave the way for a potential upset.
In terms of betting, while the Lightning are the safer pick for the win, value seekers might explore the total goals, considering the high-scoring tendencies of both teams. For those looking for elite analysis today, an over on the total goals might be a prop bet worth considering.
Free Pick and Prediction: Tampa Bay Lightning 5, Buffalo Sabres 4.