Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets Preview
Looking to win big? The Blue Jackets and Sabres face off at 7:00 ET on MSG-. The Sabres are hosting the game at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY.
The odds for this Eastern conference game currently have the Sabres as the betting favorite with the over/under line sitting at 6.5 goals. Check out BetCoco for Buffalo Sabres – Columbus Blue Jackets odds
Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets Head-to-Head and Key Stats
The last ten head-to-head matchups between then Blue Jackets and Sabres have gone in favor of the Blue Jackets, putting together a record of 6-4. When looking at the last three head-to-head matchups between the Blue Jackets and Sabres, only 2 points per game has separated the teams, with the Sabres going 2-1 vs. the spread.
- Through their last ten road games, Columbus has an puck line record of just 7-3. However, their overall record was 2-8 while averaging 3 goals per game.
- Through their last three home games, Buffalo has an puck line record of just 1-2. However, their overall record was 1-2 while averaging 2 goals per game.
- The last ten games that Buffalo was the underdog, they have an puck line mark of 5-5 while going 4-6 straight up.
- As the betting favorite, the Blue Jackets have an puck line mark of just 3-7 in their last ten games. Columbus posted a straight up mark of 3-7 in these matchups.
Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction
The Blue Jackets are set to face Buffalo with a 10-17-5 record. Their track record as favorites is 1-2-1, while they maintain 9-15-4 when considered underdogs. On the road, they have gone 3-8-3 this season and are 7-9-2 at home.
The Blue Jackets come into the game scoring an average of 3 goals per game, putting them 15th in the NHL. Regarding shots targeted at the goal per game, they are 12th in the league. In terms of power play goals, the Blue Jackets offense is 25th in power play goals. As for shorthanded goals, they are 32nd in the NHL.
Entering the game, goalie Elvis Merzlikins has started 20 games this season. His current record stands at 7-8, and his save percentage is 0.9270833333333334%.
Going into the game against Columbus, the Sabres hold a 13-16-3 record. They have a 5-4-1 record when favored and 8-12-2 as underdogs. On the road this season, they have a 7-9-2 record, while they are 6-7-1 in their games at home.
For their offensive performance, the Sabres come in averaging 2.8 goals per game this season, which is 21st in the NHL. In the category of shots on goal per game, they are 11th in the league. Coming into the game, the Sabres have 8-9 record when they have more shots on goal than their opponent. When they have fewer shots on goal, they are 5-7.
Goalie Devon Levi comes into the game having made 12 starts this season. So far, his record is 6-4 and he has a save percentage of 0.5625%.
Coming in as 1.5 goal favorites, our projections have the Sabres picking up a 4-3 win.
Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Tips
- Take the Sabres on the moneyline
- On the spread, we like Blue Jackets (+1.5)
- Our NHL model projects 7 goals, and we suggest taking the under
Buffalo Sabres Injury Report
- Zemgus Girgensons – Lower Body – Out
- Jeff Skinner – Upper Body – Out
- Jordan Greenway – Upper Body – Out
- Jack Quinn – Achilles – Out
Columbus Blue Jackets Injury Report
- Damon Severson – Upper Body – Out
- Boone Jenner – Jaw – Out
- Jack Roslovic – Ankle – Out
- Patrik Laine – Shoulder – Out
- Adam Boqvist – Shoulder – Out
