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Sabres vs Blue Jackets Prediction 2/4/25 NHL Picks Today

Columbus Blue Jackets (26-20-7) vs. Buffalo Sabres (21-26-5)
February 4, 2025 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Buffalo Sabres -166 / Columbus Blue Jackets 140; Over/Under: 6.5
(Get latest betting odds)

In this article, we will formulate a Sabres vs Blue Jackets prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, February 4th at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup. 

Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview

The Buffalo Sabres are 21-26-5 this year after they defeated New Jersey by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Buffalo led 4-1 after the second period, but they barely hung on for the win in the third. The Sabres outshot New Jersey by a total of 34-24, won 61.4% of the face-offs, and went 0-4 on the power play in the game. Buffalo got goals from McLeod, Peterka, Thompson, and Zucker, while UPL stopped 21 out of 24 shots in the game. 


Prior to that win, the Sabres defeated the Predators by a score of 4-3 and the Bruins by a score of 7-2. Buffalo has won three games in a row and they are currently last in the Atlantic standings with 47 points. Buffalo has scored 3.12 goals per game and they have allowed 3.39 goals against per game, while also going 16.3% on the power play and 78.5% on the penalty kill this season. Tage Thompson has led Buffalo with 26 goals, 22 assists, and 145 shots on goal, but he did leave Sunday’s game with an injury. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is 18-15-4 with a 2.97 goals against average and an .897 save percentage this year. 

Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets are 26-20-7 this season after they lost to Dallas by a score of 5-3 in their last game. Columbus led 3-2 in the second period, but they allowed the last three goals in the game for the loss. The Blue Jackets were outshot by a total of 39-30, won 42.2% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Columbus got goals from Fantilli, Sillinger, and Provorov, while Merzlikins stopped 34 out of 39 shots in the game. 

Prior to that loss, the Blue Jackets defeated the Hockey Club by a score of 3-2 and the Golden Knights by a score of 2-1. Columbus has won three of their last four games and they are currently fourth in the Metro standings with 59 points. Columbus has scored 3.26 goals per game and they have allowed 3.30 goals against per game, while also going 21.5% on the power play and 74.7% on the penalty kill this season. Zach Werenski has led Columbus with 17 goals, 40 assists, and 200 shots on goal, while Kirill Marchenko (out) has added 21 goals, 34 assists, and 144 shots on goal. Elvis Merzlikins is 19-12-3 with a 2.96 goals-against average and an .895 save percentage this year. 

Why the Blue Jackets will beat the Sabres

  • The Sabres have lost each of their last four games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
  • The underdogs have won six of the Sabres’ last seven games at KeyBank Center.
  • The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the last four games between the Blue Jackets and Sabres.
  • The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
  • The Sabres have lost the second period in seven of their last eight games as favorites following a win.

Total Goals Facts

  • Each of the Sabres’ last six games at KeyBank Center following a home win has gone OVER the total goals line.
  • Five of the Blue Jackets’ last six night games at KeyBank Center have gone OVER the total goals line.
  • The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last 15 games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
  • The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Blue Jackets’ last 10 road games against opponents on a winning streak.

Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts

  • Zach Benson has scored a goal in four of his last five appearances with the Sabres as home favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
  • Tage Thompson has recorded at least one point in each of the Sabres’ last 10 games against Metropolitan Division opponents at KeyBank Center.
  • Tage Thompson has recorded at least one assist in each of the Sabres’ last six games as home favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts

  • Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six appearances in night games at KeyBank Center.
  • Yegor Chinakhov has scored a goal in each of his last three appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
  • Kirill Marchenko has recorded at least one point in each of his last 11 Tuesday appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.

Sabres vs Blue Jackets Prediction 

Buffalo comes into this matchup on a three-game winning streak and they will be at home for this contest. The Sabres are 12-12-3 at home this year, while the Blue Jackets are 9-15-4 on the road. Columbus has won three of their last four games, with all three wins coming in overtime. The Blue Jackets do have a pretty poor road record on the season, but they have played better in recent road games. Both of these teams are trending in the right direction, but I really like how Columbus has played over the last few months. Take the Blue Jackets on the road here, despite the recent injury to Marchenko.

David Racey's Free Pick: Blue Jackets ML

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David Racey

David started writing about sports in 2015, but sports has been his passion for as long as he can remember. David spends most of his free time watching pretty much anything sports related from Baseball to Tennis and everything in between. David likes to analyze statistics and recent results to form an unbiased opinion on whatever game he is breaking down. Follow David on Twitter at @itsyerboi41

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