Sabres vs Blue Jackets Prediction
The Blue Jackets got a nice win over the Stars, but now they’re at the end of a back-to-back with a game that included overtime. The Blue Jackets also have issues stringing wins together and remain 27th in both goals and shots per game. A rested Sabres team should feast, and this is a revenge spot after losing a month ago to the Blue Jackets 6-3. The Blue Jackets have also earned points in just one of their first five road games. The Sabres are the only option for me in this spot, and of course I’ll lay the PL to shave down the price.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Avs and Stars, and they play the Panthers next. The Blue Jackets have split their last 10 games.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are averaging 2.57 goals per game and are scoring on 16.2 percent of their power play opportunities. Kent Johnson leads Columbus with 7 goals, Zach Werenski has 12 assists, and Adam Fantilli has 45 shots on goal. Defensively, the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowing 3 goals per game and are killing 73.2 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jet Greaves has allowed 21 goals on 180 shots faced, and Cam Talbot has given up 18 goals on 199 shots.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres beat the Kings, lost to the Senators, and they play the Golden Knights next. The Sabres have won 3 of their last 4 games.
The Buffalo Sabres are averaging 2.93 goals per game and are scoring 16.3 percent of their power play opportunities. Tage Thompson leads Buffalo with 10 goals, Zach Benson has 12 assists, and Jack Quinn has 41 shots on goal. Defensively, the Buffalo Sabres are allowing 3.33 goals per game and are killing 69.8 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has allowed 33 goals on 261 shots faced, and Colten Ellis has given up 16 goals on 147 shots.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The Blue Jackets have lost eight of their last nine road games following a win.
- The home team has won each of the Blue Jackets’ last four games.
- The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight night games after coming off a shootout.
- The home team has covered the puck line in five of the Blue Jackets’ last six games.
- The Blue Jackets have lost the third period in eight of their last nine games after coming off a shootout.
Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win
- The underdogs have won each of the last four games between the Blue Jackets and Sabres.
- The Sabres have lost six of their last seven games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the last 10 games between the Blue Jackets and Sabres.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in eight of their last nine night games at KeyBank Center.
- The Sabres have lost the second period in seven of their last eight games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents when leading after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Seven of the Sabres’ last eight games against the Blue Jackets following a loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Six of the Blue Jackets’ last seven games as underdogs following a win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Eight of the last nine Friday night games at KeyBank Center have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in 15 of the Sabres’ last 16 games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Blue Jackets’ last nine road games following a shootout loss.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Josh Doan has scored at least one goal in three of the Sabres’ last four games against the Blue Jackets.
- Zach Benson has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Sabres’ last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Tage Thompson is the only player in the league to have recorded 6+ shots in three or more consecutive appearances this season.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Kent Johnson has scored the last goal in three of the Blue Jackets’ last four games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Kent Johnson has scored at least one goal in four of the Blue Jackets’ last five games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in each of the Blue Jackets’ last six road games.
- Zach Werenski ranks 1st in the league for average time on ice (28:34) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 27th in the league in power play percentage this season (16.33%).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 27th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (69.81%).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 28th in the league for goals per game this season (2.57).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 28th in the league in power-play percentage this season (16.22%).