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The Tampa Bay Lightning are looking to strike against the Buffalo Sabres in Tampa Thursday night. The Lightning currently have an overall record of 36-21-4, while the Sabres are 24-30-6. In the last 10 regular season games, Tampa Bay has a 9-1-0 record and Buffalo has a 5-4-1 record.
Tampa Bay is 51-50-16 all-time against Buffalo. Last season, Brandon Hagel led the Lightning in scoring against Buffalo. Before signing with the Nashville Predators this season, Steven Stamkos was Tampa Bay’s leader in career scoring against Buffalo.
A doubleheader on @ESPN opens with Nikita Kucherov and the @TBLightning going head-to-head with Tage Thompson and the @BuffaloSabres for the first time this season.
Catch them in action at 7:00 p.m. ET when the puck drops at Amalie Arena. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/ytKbuPlNhE
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 6, 2025
Leading Players
The leaders on each team have the potential to play a large role in the outcome of Thursday’s matchup. Currently for Tampa Bay, Nikita Kucherov leads in points (90) and assists (62). Brayden Point leads the team in goals (32). Ryan McDonagh leads the team with a plus-minus ratio of 35.
For Buffalo, on the other hand, Tage Thompson leads the team in points (53) and goals (30). Rasmus Dahlin leads the team in assists (39). Alex Tuch leads with a plus-minus rating of 12.
Lightning Draw a +2
The Lightning recently drew a +2, acquiring two new trades. Oliver Bjorkstrand and Yanni Gourde were traded to Tampa Bay on Wednesday. They also got prospect Kyle Aucoin. This was part of a three-team trade that also involved the Seattle Kraken and the Detroit Red Wings.
In exchange for these two players, the Seattle Kraken got the first-round pick in 2026, the first-round pick in 2027, and the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ second-round pick in 2025 – forward Michael Eyssimont.
As for Detroit, the Red Wings got the fourth-round pick in 2025, which is earlier than Tampa or the Edmonton Oilers‘ pick, in exchange for taking 25% of Gourde’s cap hit.
Chatting with our new additions 🎙️🧵 pic.twitter.com/dMJMCnIU3a
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) March 6, 2025
The Road to Uno
Next, the Tampa Bay Lightning will take on the Boston Bruins on Saturday, March 8. They will also play against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday, March 11 and the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, March 13.
Where to Watch
Tune in to ESPN to watch Thursday’s contest live or stream it on ESPN+. Be sure to tune in to ESPN 98.1 FM / 850 AM WRUF. Coverage starts at 6:30 PM.
