Tampa Bay Lightning vs Buffalo Sabres Picks and Predictions April 13th 2025

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Buffalo Sabres April 13th 2025

Looking to win big? The Sabres and Lightning face off at 6:00 ET on ESPN+. The Lightning are hosting the game at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. The over/under for this matchup is currently set at 6.5 goals and the Lightning are the -1.5 favorite to win at home vs. the Sabres.

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Buffalo vs. Tampa Bay Key Information

• Teams: Sabres at Lightning
• Where: Amalie Arena Tampa
• Date: Sunday, April 13th
• Betting Odds TB -272 | BUF +222 O/U 6.5

The Sabres Can Win If…

Buffalo dropped to 35-37-7 with a 2-1 loss to the Red Wings. The Sabres held a 1-0 lead after the first period, but Detroit responded with two goals in the second. Buffalo, as the underdog on the puck line, failed to cover. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 3 fell short of the line.

Alex Tuch scored the Sabres’ only goal, a short-handed effort at 11:39 in the first period. Buffalo’s defense couldn’t hold, allowing two power-play goals in the second. The Sabres had 32 shots on goal, while Detroit managed 23.

Buffalo managed 32 shots on goal against Detroit but only found the net once in a 2-1 loss. Alex Tuch scored his 5th goal of the season, coming shorthanded at 8:21 in the first period.

The Sabres had 13 giveaways and were shut out in the second and third periods. Tuch took 5 shots on goal, with his lone goal being unassisted.

Buffalo’s defense gave up two goals in their last game, both of which came in the second period on the power play. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 21 saves, posting a 91.3% save percentage. The Sabres’ defense also recorded 5 takeaways and 17 hits.

• Across Buffalo’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 1-2. Against the spread, they have a strong mark of 3-0 along with an over-under record of 0-3.
• The Sabres have gone 7-3 over their last ten regular season games. The team’s record vs the puck line was just 9-1, in addition to an over-under mark of 5-5.

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The Lightning Can Win If…

Tampa Bay’s defense struggled in a 7-4 road loss to the Jets, bringing their record to 45-27-8. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the teams combined for 11, easily surpassing that mark. The Lightning were underdogs on the puck line, and the loss meant they didn’t cover.

At one point, Tampa Bay led 2-0, but Winnipeg scored seven of the next nine goals. Four different Lightning players found the net, but the defense couldn’t hold up, allowing two empty-net goals late in the game.

Brandon Hagel opened the scoring for the Lightning with his 7th goal of the season, while Brayden Point added his 8th on a power play. Mitchell Chaffee netted his 4th goal, and Nikita Kucherov, who now has 10 goals this season, scored in the third period to tie the game at 4-4.

The Lightning fired 30 shots on goal and recorded 8 giveaways. They scored twice in the first period, added a third goal in the second, and found the net for the final time with 13:09 left in the game.

After tying the game at 4-4 in the third period, the Lightning’s defense gave up three unanswered goals, including two empty-netters. Goalie Jonas Johansson made 27 saves with an 84.4% save percentage. Tampa Bay’s defense also recorded 6 takeaways and 16 hits.

• The Lightning have gone 1-2 over their last three regular season games. In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 1-2 and an over-under mark of 3-0.
• Across Tampa Bay’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 5-5. Across these games, their puck line record was just 5-5, while posting an over-under record of 6-3-1.

The Lean

When it comes to a straight moneyline bet, look no further than the Lightning. Nevertheless, given the payout of -272, you could also think about incorporating this bet into a parlay.

When it comes to my suggested pick for the puck line, I’d advise taking the Sabres to cover. Even in the event of a Lightning victory, this matchup is likely to remain closely contested, and the Sabres should cover the puck line.

With an over/under line sitting at 6.5 goals, we like this game to surpass that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the over.

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Lightning Look to Regain Form, Gain Ground vs. Surging Sabres

With the Atlantic Division still in reach, the Tampa Bay Lightning are running out of time — and points — to close the gap. As they host the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday night, every shift matters for Jon Cooper’s squad, who now face a tightening race not just for the top spot, but for seeding security in the Eastern Conference.

If you’re betting on the playoff push or final stretch surprises, make your move with confidence using sharp NHL expert picks and predictions to guide your selections.

Lightning Let Crucial Points Slip Away

The Lightning (45-26-8, 98 points) find themselves trailing Toronto by four points in the division standings — a gap that could have been smaller if not for recent missed opportunities. Back-to-back overtime losses to the Maple Leafs and Red Wings have cost them dearly. Detroit erased a third-period deficit before rookie Marco Kasper delivered the equalizer and OT winner in Friday’s 5-4 defeat.

“Ultimately, you want to get the result… but our process hasn’t been right the last little bit,” coach Jon Cooper said. “Now it looks like we’re playing preseason games.”

Tampa Bay wraps up its season with three pivotal games: Sunday’s clash with Buffalo, a showdown with division rival Florida on Tuesday, and a road finale against the Rangers on Thursday. The team is currently tied in points with the Panthers, who hold a game in hand.

Despite the recent setbacks, the Lightning still boast the league’s co-leader in points — Nikita Kucherov — who is tied with Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon at 116. With MacKinnon resting the remainder of the regular season, Kucherov is in prime position to claim the Art Ross Trophy with just a single point.

Kucherov enters Sunday with 34 goals and 82 assists, while Brayden Point leads the team with 41 goals.

Sabres Still Playing Hard Despite Elimination

Though the Sabres (35-37-7, 77 points) are out of the playoff picture, they’ve been one of the league’s most competitive teams of late, going 8-2-1 over their past 11 games. On Saturday, they forced a shootout against the Panthers — despite Florida resting several top players — before falling 3-2.

“Good special teams, guys were stepping up when we needed,” said captain Rasmus Dahlin, who netted one of Buffalo’s two power-play goals. “On the road, one point is always important.”

JJ Peterka added his 15th multi-point game of the season, trailing only Tage Thompson in that category for the team. The Sabres’ youth continues to shine, and their recent stretch has proven they can punch above their weight, even against top-tier opponents.

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There is concern, however, after defenseman Owen Power exited the game following a collision. His status for Sunday remains unclear.

Tampa Must Capitalize, Buffalo Looks to Spoil

With only three games remaining, the Lightning need to clean up their game and capitalize on their firepower to stay in the division hunt. Meanwhile, the Sabres are relishing the spoiler role — and could deal a serious blow to Tampa’s hopes with another strong showing.

For fans and bettors alike, this is the kind of late-season drama that delivers excitement and opportunity.