Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets Preview
Don’t miss out on the NHL showdown between the Blue Jackets and Sabres. The game is starting at 5:00 ET on ESPN+, and it’s hosted by the Sabres at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. Get ready to place your bets!
This Eastern conference matchup has an over/under of 7 goals, and the Sabres are favored to win at home vs. the Blue Jackets. Check out BetCoco for Buffalo Sabres – Columbus Blue Jackets odds
Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets Head-to-Head and Key Stats
The Blue Jackets and Sabres did not have any head-to-head matchups last season. But over the last three times playing each other, the Blue Jackets have a record of 2-1. The Blue Jackets also had the edge vs. the puck line in these games, at 2-1. These games averaged a combined total of 9 goals per game leading to an over/under record of 2-0-1.
- Across the Blue Jackets last ten road games, the team averaged 3 goals per game while allowing 4. Their record vs the puck line in these contests was 7-3, while going 3-7 straight-up.
- In their last five home games, Buffalo has averaged 2 goals per game while allowing 2. The team’s record in this stretch was 2-3 while going 3-2.
- Spanning across their last five games as the betting underdog, the Sabres have gone 3-2 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 2-3.
- Spanning across their last five games as the betting favorite, the Blue Jackets have gone 1-4 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 1-4.
Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction
The Blue Jackets are set to face Buffalo with a 12-19-7 record. Their track record as favorites is 1-2-1, while they maintain 11-16-6 when considered underdogs. On the road, they have gone 4-8-4 this season and are 8-10-3 at home.
In terms of their offensive performance, the Blue Jackets are averaging 3.2 goals per game this season, putting them in the 10th spot in the NHL. When it comes to shots on goal per game, they are ranked 10th in the league. This season, the Blue Jackets are 3-4 when getting more shots on goal than their opponents. And in games with fewer shots on goal, they have a 9-14 record.
Goalie Daniil Tarasov comes into the game having made three starts this season. So far, his record is 1-2 and he has a save percentage of 0.27%.
Coming into their game vs. Columbus, the Sabres are 14-18-4. They are 5-5-1 when favored and 9-13-3 as the underdog. On the road this season, they have a 7-9-3 record, while they are 7-9-1 in their games at home.
For their offensive performance, the Sabres come in averaging 3 goals per game this season, which is 18th in the NHL. In the category of shots on goal per game, they are 14th in the league. In terms of power play goals, the Sabres offense is 29th in power play goals. As for shorthanded goals, they are 18th in the NHL.
Heading into this matchup vs. Columbus, goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has started 14 games in this season. His current record is 6-8, and his save percentage stands at 0.64%.
In spite of being 1.5 goal underdogs, we anticipate the Blue Jackets winning this one 4-3.
Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Tips
- We like the Blue Jackets on the moneyline (+168)
- The Blue Jackets are also our pick on the spread at +1.5
- Our NHL model projects 7 goals, and we suggest taking the under
Buffalo Sabres Injury Report
No Injuries Reported
Columbus Blue Jackets Injury Report
- Boone Jenner – Jaw – Out
- Elvis Merzlikins – Illness – Questionable
- Zach Werenski – Lower Body – Out
- Sean Kuraly – Abdominal – Questionable
- Patrik Laine – Shoulder – Out
- Adam Boqvist – Shoulder – Out
- Nick Blankenburg – Upper Body – Out
