Projected Lineup (subject to change)
Forwards
Ondrej Palat - Brayden Point - Nikita Kucherov
Nick Paul - Steven Stamkos - Ross Colton
Alex Killorn - Anthony Cirelli - Brandon Hagel
Pat Maroon - Pierre-Edouard Bellemare - Corey Perry
Defensemen
Victor Hedman - Jan Rutta
Mikhail Sergachev - Erik Cernak
Zach Bogosian - Cal Foote
Goaltenders
Andrei Vasilevskiy
Brian Elliott
Saturday's Matchup
The Lightning and the Sabres are playing their third of three meetings this season and the only meeting at AMALIE Arena...Tampa Bay and Buffalo have split a pair of earlier matchups this season...The Lightning were 6-1 winners in the last meeting Jan. 11 in Buffalo, Nikita Kucherov notching his fourth career hat trick in the win while Kucherov, (3 Gs), Steven Stamkos (G, 2As), Alex Killorn (3 As), Anthony Cirelli (G, A) and Victor Hedman (2 As) all had multi-point games and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 17-of-18 saves to become the first NHL goalie to reach 20 wins this season...Buffalo earned a 5-1 win in the first meeting Oct. 25 at Buffalo, the Sabres scoring four unanswered goals, including two empty-netters, to break open a 1-1 game...Tampa Bay has won five in a row at home over Buffalo and owns an eight-game home point streak versus the Sabres coming into tonight's contest (7-0-1).
Saturday's Storylines
The Lightning close out a two-game homestand tonight...The Bolts will play seven of their final 11 regular season games at AMALIE Arena... Tampa Bay's magic number to clinch a playoff berth for the fifth-consecutive season, the eighth time in Jon Cooper's nine full seasons as head coach and the 14th time overall in franchise history is six, whereby any combination of Lightning points gained and NY Islanders points lost will decrease that magic number...The Bolts are guaranteed to finish no lower than ninth in the Eastern Conference...
Injuries
2021-22 Reg. Season Man Games Lost: 179
Current injuries
Ryan McDonagh (Upper-body injury March 24; Out indefinitely) 8 Games
Play It Safe
The well-being of our guests and staff is our top priority. As we return to play, we will be implementing new health and safety protocols based on current public health recommendations, including those set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local agencies, which are evolving as new information is available.
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Tampa Bay Sports Item of the Game
Franklin Mini Hockey Set
The Franklin Lightning Mini Hockey Set is the best way to bring the game inside. Each set comes with a net, two sticks and a ball. Available in store and online at TampaBaySports.com while supplies last.
The Road Ahead
Tuesday, April 12 at Dallas Stars
Thursday, April 14 vs. Anaheim Ducks
Saturday, April 16 vs. Winnipeg Jets
