Tampa Bay has now dropped three-straight games, collecting only one point in that stretch.
It was an inauspicious start for Brian Elliott in his Lightning debut, conceding the first goal of the game less than two minutes in. Elliott reacted as though he had covered Tage Thompson's shot off the rush, but actually kicked the rebound directly to Victor Olofsson in the slot, who scored into a wide open net.
The Lightning appeared to be headed toward a sixth-consecutive scoreless first period until Alex Killorn managed to equalize at 18:26. Moments after he had missed wide on a golden opportunity at the far post, Killorn jammed the puck through Craig Anderson after he made a stop on Ryan McDonagh's point shot.
Tampa Bay dominated the second period, outshooting the Sabres 11-3 in the middle frame. Despite outshooting and outchancing Buffalo heavily, the Bolts headed to the third down a goal after Drake Caggiula converted on a breakaway chance in the final minute.
Things quickly got away from the Bolts in the third, with Vinnie Hinostroza adding an insurance marker early in the period.
Robert Hagg and Olofsson followed with empty net goals late to officially put the game out of reach.
It will be a quick turnaround for the Bolts, as they travel to Pittsburgh tonight in preparation for a matchup against the Penguins on Tuesday.
