Lightning vs. Sabres Prediction & Picks - March 8

The Tampa Bay Lightning (39-18-4) visit the Buffalo Sabres (38-19-6), who have won six in a row, on Sunday, March 8 at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

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As hockey action continues, get ready for the contest by checking out which club we predict will capture the win in Sunday's game.

The Sabres have put up a 7-2-1 record during their last 10 contests. They have scored 34 total goals (seven power-play goals on 35 power-play opportunities during that time, for a conversion rate of 20.0%) while conceding 24 goals to their opponents.

Lightning vs. Sabres Predictions for Sunday

Our computer projection model for this encounter expects a final score of Lightning 4, Sabres 3.

• Moneyline Pick: Lightning (-116)
• Total Pick: Under 6.5 (computer predicts 6.2 goals on average)
• Spread Pick: Sabres (+1.5)

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Lightning Splits and Trends

• The Lightning have a 39-18-4 record overall, with a 9-4-13 record in games that have gone to overtime.
• In the 18 games Tampa Bay has played that were decided by one goal, it has an 8-8-2 record (good for 18 points).
• In the seven games this season the Lightning recorded just one goal, they went 2-4-1 (five points).
• Tampa Bay has finished 4-6-3 in the 13 games this season when it scored a pair of goals (registering 11 points).
• The Lightning have scored more than two goals 39 times, and are 33-6-0 in those games (to record 66 points).
• In the 21 games when Tampa Bay has recorded a lone power-play goal, it picked up 28 points after finishing 13-6-2.
• In the 34 games this season in which it has outshot its opponent, Tampa Bay is 20-11-3 (43 points).
• The Lightning have been outshot by opponents 26 times, and went 18-7-1 (37 points).

Sabres Splits and Trends

• The Sabres have a 38-19-6 record this season and are 6-6-12 in games that have required overtime.
• In the 16 games Buffalo has played that were decided by one goal, it racked up 22 points.
• This season the Sabres scored only one goal in six games and they finished 0-5-1 in those matchups.
• When Buffalo has scored a pair of goals this season, they've earned six points (3-7-0 record).
• The Sabres have scored at least three goals 44 times, earning 75 points from those matchups (35-4-5).
• This season, Buffalo has capitalized on a lone power-play goal in 24 games has a record of 15-5-4 in those matchups.
• When outshooting its opponent this season, Buffalo is 12-8-2 (26 points).
• The Sabres have been outshot by opponents 41 times this season, and earned 56 points in those games.

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Team Stats Comparison

Lightning vs. Sabres Game Time and TV Channel

• When: Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 6 p.m. ET
• TV Channel: ESPN+
• Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
• Where: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York

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