The Buffalo Sabres snapped a 3-game skid yesterday, with a 5-2 victory over the Florida Panthers, but I wouldn’t get too excited. The Sabres are just 2-8 in their last 10 games and will be playing back-to-back games tonight when they make the short trip from Sunrise, Florida to Tampa for a matchup with the Lightning. Tampa is starting to click, winning 2 straight and 5 of their last 7. The Bolts have owned Buffalo, winning 5 straight against the Western New Yorkers, including a pair in early November in Sweden. The Lightning’s captain, Steven Stamkos, is not expected to return to the ice tonight but, with or without him, Tampa gets it done.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING