Using OddsTrader’s computer picks, we placed tonight’s best bets based on the information generated.
Tampa Bay comes into tonight’s matchup looking to bounce back from a 7-3 defeat last time out at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins as well as a 7-1 defeat last time they faced division rivals Florida Panthers.
Elsewhere, the Buffalo Sabres are available at plus money to cover the spread against a Columbus Blue Jackets team who have scored a point in 4 of their previous 5 games.
Picks Summary
- Panthers vs. Lightning: Lightning ML (-150) at Bet365
- Blue Jackets vs. Sabres: Sabres -1.5 (+114) at FanDuel
Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 – 07:00 PM EST at Amalie Arena
Preview
It’s the battle of the Sunshine State in the Amalie Arena tonight as the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers chase two points. The last time these two teams met Florida thumped the Lightning 7-1. Can Tampa Bay repay the favor on home ice tonight?
The one clear advantage the Panthers have coming into this game is the fact they have had three nights off whilst their opponents have played two games in the previous three nights.
The Panthers currently trail Tampa Bay by seven wins, a tally that’s almost impossible to reach, and they will have to do so if they hope to make this year’s playoffs. They can begin that tonight with a rare win on the road.
Tampa Bay has a solid offense scoring a league 4th-best 3.56 goals per game, and whilst the Panthers score 3.41 per game, they also allow over 3.48. Tampa Bay has one of the best-ranked goaltenders in the world right now who is expected to start tonight as has allowed 2.55 per game and they allow only 2.95 goals per game as a team.
The Pick
Both these teams have altered wins and losses in each of their previous five games. With both on the receiving end of a loss last time out, at least one of these two teams is going to continue that streak, and our computer suggests laying the -150 juice on the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Yes, they have played two in three days but they did have a rest last night, and one thing is for sure: they will be well up for this divisional and state matchup.
With both Aleksander Barkov and Sam Bennett likely to be out for the Panthers, they will be minus two of their top centres.
Final Score Prediction: Florida Panthers 2 – Tampa Bay Lightning 3
NHL Pick: Lightning ML (-150) at Bet365
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Buffalo Sabres
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 – 07:30 PM EST at KeyBank Center
Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets come into this NHL matchup sitting last in the Eastern Conference, and by a lot, with the team in second last having accumulated 54 points compared to the Blue Jackets’ 44.
Columbus ranks 30th overall in terms of goals both for and against and ranks 32nd on the power-play. Columbus has won just 7 of their previous 20 games and has no less than six players out injured at the time of writing.
Looking at the Buffalo Sabres, they have won 11 of 17 games as pre-game favorites this season and have a top-five ranked offense having accumulated the league’s second-best 3.78 goals per game and hitting 25% of their powerplays.
The Sabres are making a push to get inside the playoff race having picked up 6 wins in their previous 7 NHL games.
The Pick
The last time these teams met the Buffalo Sabres ran away as 9-4 winners on the day, with Tage Thompson scoring an eye-watering five goals on the night.
The Buffalo Sabres will be hoping for more of the same, only this time there on home ice. Our computer predicts a Sabres home win by 2+ goals so we are more than happy to bet them to cover the -1.5 PK line at +110 in this NHL matchup.
Buffalo is still fighting to make the playoffs this year, and they can’t afford to lose against teams as weak as Columbus.
Final Score Prediction: Columbus Blue Jackets 2 – Buffalo Sabres 4
NHL Pick: Sabres -1.5 (+114) at FanDuel
