Sabres at Lightning Game Preview: Keep the wins coming

Game Sixty-two: Buffalo Sabres (24-30-6) at Tampa Bay Lightning (36-21-4)

Time: 7:00 PM EST

Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa

TV/Stream/Radio: ESPN, 102.5 FM, Lightning App

Odds: Lightning -225

Know the Opponents: Die by the Blade

It’s going to be an interesting night tonight. First off, the Tampa fans get to welcome their two new players as Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand are scheduled to make their debuts for the team (well, return debut in the case of Gourde). The team has been on a roll with just about every part of their game clicking, and they’re going up against a Buffalo team that has, well, not had a great season.

The Sabres are mired in last place in the Eastern Conference, a full four points clear of 15th place Pittsburgh. It’s going to be their fourteenth consecutive season without a playoff appearance, and it’s going to be 18 years since they had a playoff win. They’re coming off of a loss one of the few teams with a worse record then they have, the San Jose Sharks, on home ice, and they look absolutely rudderless right now. Chances are, some of the veterans won’t be on the charter flight back from Sunrise on Saturday as they will be dealt by Friday’s deadline.

It’s so bad, even their television broadcast crew is taking shots (NSFW language)

Rob Ray delivered one of the clearest F-bombs I’ve ever heard on a live broadcast tonight. What a king.

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— Prescott Rossi (@prescottrossi.bsky.social) February 22, 2025 at 10:33 PM

So, the Lightning win this one going away, right? In today’s NHL not necessarily. It’s a fine line between good and bad in this league and the Lightning can’t just throw their sticks on the ice and expect a win, even against a team that is looking at their draft position instead of the playoffs. Buffalo is also looking to show their coach that his assessment of their game against San Jose was wrong.

“Too many passengers. They [San Jose] won the compete, they won the puck-play game. Our puck-play was awful. Just too many guys took the night off,” is how Lindy Ruff put it after the 6-2 loss.

The two-game swing through the state of Florida will be a big test for a team that will look different following the trade deadline, but is still composed of what the organization hopes is a young, solid core. Expect them to show a little pride and come out flying tonight.

J.J. Peterka has been a bright spot in a terrible season as the 23-year-old has 8 points (3 goals, 5 assists) in his last 6 games and is on his way to another 50+ point season. Tage Thompson is healthy and doing Tage Thompson things with 30 goals in 54 games. Trade Deadline darling Alex Tuch is second on the team with 23 goals while Rasmus Dahlin is almost at a point-per-game from the blueline with 49 points in 52 games.

The word of the day from the Lightning following their win against Columbus on Tuesday was “commitment”. Their recent winning ways have been highlighted by a renewed commitment to defense, and they’re going to have to keep that going against the Sabres. They have their playoff spot, now it’s time to focus on home ice with Toronto and Florida in their sights.

While the offense is nice, it’s the six straight games allowing two goals or less that makes Coach Jon Cooper the happiest. Considering the fact that it’s come against some of the league’s best offenses in Florida, Washington, and Columbus is an even better indicator that this team is build better for the playoffs than last year’s edition. The additions of Gourde and Bjorkstrand should only make them a tougher team to play against, but they can’t take the foot off of the gas right now.

Potential Lines

Tampa Bay Lightning

Forwards:

[updated based on morning skate]

Defense:

Goaltenders:

Buffalo Sabres

Forwards:

Defense:

Goaltenders: