The Buffalo Sabres and Columbus Blue Jackets meet Thursday in NHL action at the Nationwide Arena. Here’s a Columbus Blue Jackets vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction. This article will include a Columbus Blue Jackets vs Buffalo Sabres Pick.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres recently beat the Panthers, lost to the Penguins, and play the Blackhawks next. The Buffalo Sabres are averaging 2.6 goals per game and are scoring on 0 percent of their power play opportunities. Tage Thompson leads Buffalo with 3 goals, Alex Tuch has 4 assists and Dylan Cozens has 19 shots on goal. Defensively, the Buffalo Sabres are allowing 3.6 goals per game and are killing 72.2 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Devon Levi has given up 5 goals on 62 shots faced, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has allowed 11 goals on 87 shots.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Avalanche, lost to the Panthers, and play the Wild next. The Columbus Blue Jackets are averaging 3.67 goals per game and are scoring on 25 percent of their power play opportunities. Sean Manahan leads Columbus with 2 goals, Yegor Chinakhov has 4 assists and Zach Werenski has 17 shots on goal. Defensively, the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowing 3.67 goals per game and are killing 70 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Daniil Tarasov has allowed 4 goals on 30 shots faced, and Elvis Merzlikins has given up 7 goals on 48 shots.
Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win
- The Blue Jackets have won nine of their last 11 games as home underdogs following a home loss.
- The Sabres have lost 10 of their last 11 games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in each of their last six games at Nationwide Arena following a loss.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Blue Jackets.
- The Blue Jackets have won the first period in each of their last six games at Nationwide Arena following a loss.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Zach Werenski has scored at least one goal in three of the Blue Jackets’ last four games.
- Boone Jenner has recorded at least one point in each of his last eight Thursday appearances against Eastern Conference opponents at Nationwide Arena.
- Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in six of the Blue Jackets’ last seven games as home underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Tage Thompson has scored a goal in each of the Sabres’ last three games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Alex Tuch has recorded at least one point in each of the Sabres’ last eight games as favorites.
- Zach Benson has recorded at least one assist in five of the Sabres’ last six games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank T1st in the league in short-handed goals allowed this season (0).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank T1st in the league for Period 2 goals scored per game this season (2.00).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank T30th in the league in power play percentage this season (0.00%).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 26th in the league for goals per game this season (2.60).
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction
The Columbus Blue Jackets have been competitive in every game they’ve played so far, and that includes beating the Avs, and nearly upsetting the Wild and Panthers. If that continues, the Blue Jackets will pack value in the underdog role moving forward. The Buffalo Sabres are on the end of a back-to-back, and that game against the Penguins included overtime and 11 goals. Potential tired legs, especially this early in the season while guys are still getting their feet under them. At home with the rest advantage, I like the Blue Jackets.