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Sabres vs. Lightning prediction: Why Tampa Bay is favored to win Tuesday's NHL matchup [2/3/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Nick Slade, Chief Content Officer
Get Buffalo Sabres vs Tampa Bay Lightning predictions for NHL Tuesday.
The Tampa Bay Lightning and Buffalo Sabres will lock horns in the NHL at Benchmark International Arena on Tuesday, with puck drop at 7:30 PM ET.
Based on the latest simulations, Dimers' advanced NHL model projects the Lightning as the most likely winner of the Sabres vs. Lightning game.
This article offers an expanded analysis of Tuesday's matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Sabres vs. Lightning prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using powerful machine learning and statistical analysis, we have simulated the result of Tuesday's NHL game between the Sabres and Lightning 10,000 times as part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our famous predictive model currently gives the Lightning a 61% chance of beating the Sabres.
According to our model, the Sabres (+1.5) have a 60% chance of covering the puck line, while the over/under total of six goals has a 57% chance of going over.
Sabres vs. Lightning odds
We have sourced the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Sabres | Lightning |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-155) | -1.5 (+130) |
| Moneyline | +160 | -190 |
| Total | o6 (-118) | u6 (-102) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Sabres vs. Lightning picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | Sabres +1.5 | -155 |
| Moneyline | Sabres | +160 |
| Total | Over 6 | -118 |
According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Over 6 total goals.
Sabres vs. Lightning player props
Who will score a goal in Sabres vs. Lightning?
According to our model, Nikita Kucherov is most likely to score an anytime goal in Sabres vs. Lightning.
Our projections give Kucherov a 47.3% chance of scoring a goal at Benchmark International Arena, while the star is a 10.7% chance of netting the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
Buffalo Sabres
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Tage Thompson | 37.9% |
| Alex Tuch | 28.9% |
| Rasmus Dahlin | 22.3% |
| Zach Benson | 22.1% |
| Noah Ostlund | 21.7% |
Tampa Bay Lightning
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Nikita Kucherov | 47.3% |
| Jake Guentzel | 45.3% |
| Brandon Hagel | 43.6% |
| Darren Raddysh | 28.4% |
| Oliver Bjorkstrand | 24.6% |
First goal scorer predictions
Buffalo Sabres
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Tage Thompson | 7.7% |
| Alex Tuch | 5.6% |
| Rasmus Dahlin | 3.7% |
| Zach Benson | 3.6% |
| Noah Ostlund | 3.6% |
Tampa Bay Lightning
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Nikita Kucherov | 10.7% |
| Jake Guentzel | 9.0% |
| Brandon Hagel | 8.9% |
| Darren Raddysh | 5.1% |
| Oliver Bjorkstrand | 4.5% |
Sabres vs. Lightning game-day updates and essential details
Tuesday's game between the Lightning and Sabres at Benchmark International Arena is scheduled to commence at 7:30 PM ET.
- Who: Buffalo Sabres vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
- Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2026
- Time: 7:30 PM ET/4:30PM PT
- Venue: Benchmark International Arena
Conclusion
We predict the Lightning, with a 61% win probability, will likely beat the Sabres on Tuesday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Sabres vs. Lightning insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are based on the latest data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Nick Slade, with nearly two decades of experience, is the Chief Content Officer at Cipher Sports Technology Group, overseeing content for Dimers. He specializes in soccer, NBA, and NHL betting, leveraging predictive analytics and machine learning to provide accurate betting insights.
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