Buffalo Sabres (34-19-6) at Tampa Bay Lightning (38-15-4)

Puck Drop: 7:00 PM | Benchmark International Arena | Tampa, FL

TV: MSG-B

Radio: WGR 550

Know Your Opponent

Tampa Bay Lightning

Record: 38-15-4 | 80 PTS

Division Ranking: 1st in Atlantic Division

Last Game: 5-4 Loss vs Carolina Hurricanes

PP: 11th (22.2%) | Sabres Rank: 15th (20.0%)

PK: 5th (83.1%) | Sabres Rank: 7th (82.5%)

What to Watch

1. You Again?

Three and a half weeks ago, Buffalo visited Tampa Bay for the second half of a back-to-back after defeating the Florida Panthers. Today they enter the same situation after securing the victory last night. Due to the Olympics break, both teams have only played three games since they last faced each other. Tampa went 2-1 in those games which bring their 2026 calendar year record to 15-2-1. Similar to their last matchup, Tampa Bay enters the game with a day of rest. Hopefully, Buffalo can flip the script and escape Florida with 4 points. If the game follows the same script, some may wonder if we’re stuck in a time loop.

2. Point has Returned

One change from the early February matchup is the health of both teams. While Buffalo has seen the welcome return of Josh Norris, Tampa Bay has seen their number 1 center rejoin the lineup and make his presence known. After being out since mid-January, Brayden Point has three goals and two assists in his two games back in the lineup. Combine that with Kucherov’s absurd 56 points in his last 24 games and Buffalo has their work cut out for them. They have to find a way to slow down the Lightning’s top line if they want to have a chance to defeat the Atlantic Division leader.

3. Olympians to Lead

The best chance for Buffalo to secure the win is for their Olympian skaters to lead them to victory. Rasmus Dahlin has done well against Tampa Bay over the last few years. He has points in 10 of his last 11 games against them (2 goals and 12 assists) including points in his last 4 (1 goal and 5 assists). Thompson doesn’t have the historical success Dahlin has had, but he’s currently on a heater. He enters this game on a 6-game point streak and points in 10 of his last 11. Since coming back from the Olympics, both players seem to have benefitted from the elevated level of play by raising their own game. Buffalo can surely benefit from them continuing to produce at an elite level.

Projected Lineups

Buffalo Sabres

Forwards*

Krebs – Thompson – Tuch
Ostlund – Norris – Doan
Zucker – McLeod – Quinn
Dunne – Kozak – Malenstyn

Defense

Samuelsson – Dahlin
Byram – Power
Metsa – Kesselring

Starter: Luukkonen

*Note: Sabres are hopeful Benson will return vs. Tampa Bay. Lineup subject to change

Tampa Bay Lightning

Forwards

Goncalves – Point – Kucherov
Hagel – Guentzel – Bjorkstrand
Girgensons – Gourde – Holmberg
Sabourin – James

Defense

Hedman – D’astous
Moser – Raddysh
McDonagh – Cernak
Carlile

Starter: Vasilevskiy