The Buffalo Sabres look for a win after splitting their last 10 games. The Columbus Blue Jackets need a win after losing 5 of their last 8 games. Let’s preview this game and give out a Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets prediction.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres recently beat the Wild and Canadiens while losing to the Ducks. The Buffalo Sabres are averaging 2.93 goals per game and are scoring on 14.9 percent of their power play opportunities. JJ Peterka leads Buffalo with 19 goals, Casey Mittlelstadt has 31 assists and Rasmus Dahlin has 168 shots on goal. Defensively, the Buffalo Sabres are allowing 3.05 goals per game and are killing 80.2 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Devon Levi has given up 62 goals on 571 shots faced, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has allowed 76 goals on 855 shots.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets recently beat the Sharks and Ducks while losing to the Kings. The Columbus Blue Jackets are averaging 2.96 goals per game and are scoring on 13.9 percent of their power play opportunities. Boone Jenner leads Columbus with 18 goals, Johnny Gaudreau has 32 assists and Kirill Marchenko has 134 shots on goal. Defensively, the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowing 3.73 goals per game and are killing 75.8 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Daniil Tarasov has allowed 45 goals on 378 shots faced, and Elvis Merzlikins has given up 98 goals on 984 shots. The Blue Jackets will meet the Rangers, Hurricanes, and Blackhawks after this one.
Columbus Blue Jackets Team Facts
- The Blue Jackets have lost each of their last eight night games following a road win.
- The road team has covered the puck line in each of the last five games between the Sabres and Blue Jackets.
- The Blue Jackets have won the first period in each of their last four games against the Sabres.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2’ market has hit in each of the last nine games between the Sabres and Blue Jackets.
Buffalo Sabres Team Facts
- The Sabres have lost 14 of their last 15 night games following a road win.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in six of the Sabres’ last seven games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last nine games as favorites against the Blue Jackets.
- The favorites have won the second period in six of the Sabres’ last seven games at Nationwide Arena.
Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets prediction
I’m not running to the window to back either of these teams, but the Sabres have been the better side all year and these are games they need to take advantage of if they’re going to make the next month or so interesting. The Columbus Blue Jackets have been a mess all year, and playing at home doesn’t help where they’re 9-14-4 on the year. The Blue Jackets defense should have issues in this spot. The price is cheap. Give me the Sabres.