The Buffalo Sabres (11-9-3) travel across Florida to face the Tampa Bay Lightning (11-7-2) at Amalie Arena Monday at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Sabres-Lightning odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.
Buffalo Sabres at Tampa Bay Lightning: Projected starting goalies
Carter Hutton vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy
Hutton has a 6-4-2 record for Buffalo with a 2.73 goals against average and .909 save percentage. Hutton has not played since November 17th where he gave up four goals on 27 shots versus the Chicago Blackhawks.
Vasilevskiy is the likely starter in net for Tampa Bay tonight at home against Buffalo. He has an 8-6 record with a 2.88 goals-against average and .908 save percentage. The Russian goalie has split his last two starts, stopping 67 of 71 shots.
Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.
Buffalo Sabres at Tampa Bay Lightning: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 10:55 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Lightning 5, Sabres 2
Moneyline (ML)
The LIGHTNING (-223) line has backed off a bit but is still a bit high to take Monday night. Buffalo is the reason why bettors are trying to capitalize on value. The Sabres are not the rested team and Tampa Bay has already won the two previous matchups (one at home where they tallied five goals).
A $10 bet with Tampa Bay results in a $4.48 profit with an outright win for the Lightning.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Unlike the moneyline, the real value (and a little risk) is in the ATS. Tampa Bay is a +125 here to win by two or more goals. The last Lightning home game against the Sabres was a two-goal margin of victory for Tampa Bay. Three of the previous five meetings have also gone this way.
A $10 bet with a Tampa Bay cover results in a $12.50 return.
Over/Under (O/U)
The OVER 6.5 (+120) is a good play here with Tampa Bay the top-scoring team in the league once again (3.7 goals per contest) and Buffalo can put some goals up as well (five last night in Florida). Tampa might score five by themselves tonight.
Placing a $10 bet on the over will give a bettor a $12.00 profit with a total of seven or more goals scored.
Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
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