Tampa Bay Lightning News

Games on the Line 🚨 | NHL's Best OT & Shootout Moments — February 2026

7 HOURS AGO • YOUTUBE

Jonas Johansson - Solid in relief Johansson made 20 saves in relief Saturday in a 6-2 loss to the Sabres. He allowed one goal.

Impact The Bolts had no compete and little focus Saturday, so netminding was an adventure behind them. Andrei Vasilevskiy allowed five goals on 14 shots, and coach Jon Cooper yanked him to prove a point. Johansson was solid, but it won't earn him more time in net. The Bolts may give him starts when they are home and cooled later in the season. Tampa Bay is four points ahead of Buffalo and five ahead of Montreal, and they will make sure they are solid in first before Johansson gets multiple starts.

17 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Andrei Vasilevskiy - Team crumbles around him Vasilevsky gave up five goals on 14 shots before he was pulled at 1:54 of the second period of Saturday's 6-2 loss to the Sabres.

Impact Vasilevksiy was far from perfect, but his team was non-existent. And they were the reason he was pulled. "No push back, no urgency, no drive, no attention to detail," coach Jon Cooper told NHL.com. "We just gave up a decently skilled team so much open ice. I'm surprised they didn't have 10. I'm really disappointed with our compete level." This loss wasn't on Vasilevskiy. He'll rebound with ease.

17 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Victor Hedman - First goal of season Hedman scored a goal and added an assist in Saturday's 6-2 loss to the Sabres.

Impact Remarkably, it was Hedman's first goal of the season. Granted, it was just his 24th game of the year (one goal, 14 assists), but he had 13 and 15 goals in the last two seasons. It was also Hedman's first multi-point game since Oc.t 25, 2025. The 35-year-old is a fantasy pillar, and he needs to be in your lineup no matter the format. He could punch up points at close to one-per-game going forward.

17 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Norris scores twice, Sabres cruise past Lightning | NHL.com Dahlin has 3 points for Buffalo; Hedman has goal, assist for Tampa Bay

20 HOURS AGO • NHL.COM

Dominic James - Sustains apparent leg injury James (leg) left Saturday's game versus the Sabres, and there was no update on his status following the contest, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports.

Impact Per Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times, James was hurt late in the third period and couldn't put weight on his right leg after a collision with Michael Kesselring. This could be the type of injury that costs James time, which may force the Lightning to make roster moves to get more center depth. More information should be available prior to Tuesday's game versus the Wild.

21 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

5 takeaways from the Buffalo Sabres 6-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning The last time the Buffalo Sabres were in Tampa Bay, they were leaving with only one point after blowing a lead late in the third period befo...

21 HOURS AGO • SABRENOISE.COM

Gage Goncalves - Leaves Saturday's game Goncalves didn't finish Saturday's game versus the Sabres due to an undisclosed injury, and there was no update on his status from head coach Jon Cooper, Benjamin Pierce of the Lig...

Impact Goncalves was limited to 8:17 of ice time in the contest. The 25-year-old has been filling a larger role recently as a top-six option at even strength while the Lightning roll with 11 forwards and seven defensemen. Curtis Douglas and Scott Sabourin are the extra forwards currently on the roster, though Oliver Bjorkstrand would likely get a bigger bump in usage if Goncalves misses time.

21 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Sabres vs. Lightning | NHL Highlights | February 28, 2026

21 HOURS AGO • YOUTUBE

Dylan Duke - Two goals in Crunch win Duke scored two goals in AHL Syracuse's 6-4 win over Laval on Saturday.

Impact Duke is up to 27 goals and 45 points through 52 outings this season. The 22-year-old forward has earned six goals and four assists during a seven-game point streak. The Lightning don't have a need for an extra forward at the NHL level yet, but Duke's performance suggests he should be in the conversation if call-ups are made in the future.

21 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Sabres beat the Lightning 6-2 for their 3rd straight victory

Josh Norris scored twice, Rasmus Dahlin had a goal and two assists and the Buffalo Sabres beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-2 on Saturday night for their third straight victory

21 HOURS AGO • Associated Press

Anthony Cirelli - Expected to play Saturday Cirelli (undisclosed) is slated to play Saturday versus Buffalo, per Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site.

Impact Cirelli missed Tampa Bay's last four games and his chance to play for Team Canada in the 2026 Winter Games due to the injury. He has 15 goals and 35 points in 49 outings in 2025-26. Cirelli is projected to center the second line with Brandon Hagel and Jake Guentzel as his wingers Saturday.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Anthony Cirelli - Game-time call Cirelli (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision versus Buffalo on Saturday, per Lightning reporter Gabby Shirley.

Impact Cirelli has been out of action since Feb. 1 and was forced to miss the Olympic Games due to his injury. He has 15 goals and 35 points over 49 games this season. If he is able to go. look for Scott Sabourin to possibly be the odd-man out.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Andrei Vasilevskiy - In goal Saturday Vasilevskiy will patrol the home crease versus Buffalo on Saturday, according to Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site.

Impact Vasilevskiy is 17-0-1 in his last 18 starts with a gaudy 1.90 GAA and a .925 save percentage. Overall, Vasilevskiy is 28-7-3 with a 2.11 GAA and a .920 save percentage across 38 starts this season. The Sabres are ninth in NHL scoring, generating 3.34 goals per contest.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Lightning play the Sabres, look to extend home win streak

The Tampa Bay Lightning host the Buffalo Sabres looking to continue an 11-game home winning streak

1 DAY AGO • Associated Press

Lightning vs. Sabres Prediction, Odds, Picks - Feb. 28

Preview the Feb. 28 matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Buffalo Sabres with betting odds over/under, game spread, moneyline, predict...

1 DAY AGO • Data Skrive

Lightning vs. Sabres Prediction, Odds, Picks - Feb. 28

Lightning vs. Sabres: How to Watch, Odds, Picks & Predictions The Tampa Bay Lightning (38-15-4) are -236 on the moneyline to win when they host the Buffalo Sabres (33-19-6), who have +193 odds, on Satur...

1 DAY AGO • BLEACHERNATION.COM

Postgame Media vs CAR | Moser, James, Zettler

2 DAYS AGO • YOUTUBE

Auston Matthews calls for 'desperation' after Maple Leafs' loss to Panthers The Toronto Maple Leafs returned from the Olympic break under pressure in the NHL's Atlantic Division. They sit at 27-23-9 with 63 points, a...

2 DAYS AGO • THEBIGLEAD.COM

Dominic James - Tickles twine in loss James scored a goal on four shots in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Hurricanes.

Impact James has three goals and three helpers over his last 11 outings. The 23-year-old has been an effective and versatile forward for the Lightning as a rookie this season, moving around the lineup as necessary. He's at six goals, eight assists, 55 shots on net, 56 hits and a plus-4 rating through 42 appearances. James' ice time will likely drop once Anthony Cirelli (undisclosed) is ready to return.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Brandon Hagel - Sparks comeback effort Hagel scored a goal on two shots in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Hurricanes.

Impact Hagel has three goals and three assists over his last five outings. The winger got the Lightning on the board late in the first period after they gave up the first three goals of the contest. Hagel is up to 28 tallies, 55 points, 154 shots on net, 40 hits, 30 blocked shots and a plus-29 rating through 52 appearances. Time lost to injuries makes it unlikely Hagel will repeat his 90-point campaign from the 2024-25 regular-season, but he'll challenge his career-best 35-goal mark from last year.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Nikita Kucherov - Extends point streak to 12 games Kucherov scored a goal on two shots and added two PIM in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Hurricanes.

Impact Given his recent production, a single goal is a bit of a light output for Kucherov. He has eight goals and 20 helpers over 12 contests during his current point streak, and he's been held off the scoresheet just once in his last 23 games. The superstar winger is at 31 goals, 95 points, 160 shots on net, 38 PIM and a plus-33 rating through 53 appearances this season.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Jonas Johansson - Can't overcome rough start Johansson made 28 saves in a 5-4 loss to Carolina on Thursday.

Impact Johansson got off to a rough start, allowing three goals in the first 10 minutes of the game. He has lost his last two games and allowed 11 goals in that span. Starter Andrei Vasilevskiy is well rested, so don't expect Johansson to see too much time in the blue paint.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Brayden Point - Five points in last two games Point had a goal and an assist in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Hurricanes.

Impact Point has two multi-point games (three goals, two assists) in the Bolts two games since the break. There's no rust on his game after missing 11 games prior to the Olympics with a lower-body injury. The Bolts could afford to give Point some rest to protect his health, what with a six-point lead over Detroit and Montreal at the top of the Atlantic. Even if that happens, he's still a great fantasy option. Point has 35 points, including 14 goals, and 89 shots in 39 games.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Jake Guentzel - Another multi-point outing Guentzel had three assists Thursday in a 5-4 loss to Carolina.

Impact Guentzel has nine multipoint games in his past 18. Overall, he has 63 points (26 goals, 37 assists) and 151 shots in 57 games to go with the shiny gold medal he picked up with Team USA at the Olympics. Guentzel's current scoring pace is the best of his career.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

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Sabres beat the Lightning 6-2 for their 3rd straight victory

Lightning play the Sabres, look to extend home win streak

Lightning vs. Sabres Prediction, Odds, Picks - Feb. 28

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Sabres beat the Lightning 6-2 for their 3rd straight victory

Lightning play the Sabres, look to extend home win streak

Lightning vs. Sabres Prediction, Odds, Picks - Feb. 28