In this article, we will formulate a Sabres vs Blue Jackets Prediction for this NHL game on Wednesday, October 1st. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Columbus Blue Jackets Preview
The Blue Jackets finished last season with 92 points with a 40-30-12 record and were placed 5th in the Metropolitan Division. They had a 20-13-8 home record, a 20-17-4 road record and were 40-42 ATS and 37-41 in over/under. They will face the Mammoth and Penguins next.
Offensively last season, the Blue Jackets averaged 3.00 goals per game and were scoring 18.91% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they allowed 3.06 goals per game and were killing 76.02% of their opponent’s power plays.
Zach Werenski led the Blue Jackets with 81 points, adding a team-high 59 assists, while Kirill Marchenko led the team in goals with 27. Jet Greaves was the starting goalie for the Blue Jackets, and he had a 24-14-8 record, with 2.58 GAA and .909 SV%. Elvis Merzļikins was the backup goalie and he had a 14-11-3 record, with 3.40 GAA and .883 SV%.
Buffalo Sabres Preview
The Sabres finished last season with 109 points with a 50-23-9 record and were placed 1st in the Atlantic Division. They had a 26-10-5 home record, a 24-13-4 road record and were 51-44 ATS and 44-47 in over/under. They will face the Blackhawks and Wild next.
Offensively last season, the Sabres averaged 3.45 goals per game and were scoring 19.51% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they allowed 2.93 goals per game and were killing 81.90% of their opponent’s power plays.
Tage Thompson led the Sabres with 81 points and a team-high 40 goals, while Rasmus Dahlin led the team in assists with 55. Alex Lyon was the starting goalie for the Sabres, and he had a 20-10-4 record, with 2.77 GAA and .907 SV%. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was the backup goalie and he had a 22-9-3 record, with 2.52 GAA and .910 SV%.
Buffalo Sabres @ Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Trends: October 1, 2026
Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win
- The home team has won five of the last six games between the Sabres and Blue Jackets.
- The Sabres have lost four of their last five road openers.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last three season openers.
- The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in three of their last four home games against the Sabres.
- The Sabres have lost the third period in each of their last four games as underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents when trailing after the second period.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The Blue Jackets have lost each of their last six games as favorites.
- The underdogs have won each of the Blue Jackets’ last six games.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the last nine games between the Sabres and Blue Jackets.
- The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last eight games as favorites.
- The Sabres have won the third period in each of their last seven road games when leading after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Eight of the Blue Jackets’ last nine season openers have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Sabres’ last four season openers have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last eight games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in nine of the Blue Jackets’ last 10 home games against the Sabres.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in four of his last five appearances against the Sabres.
- Damon Severson has scored a goal in three of his last four appearances in night games at Nationwide Arena.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Zach Benson has scored a goal in four of the Sabres’ last five road games.
- Tage Thompson has recorded at least one assist in each of the Sabres’ last five road games.
- Tage Thompson was one of only six players in the league to score a goal in six consecutive appearances last season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Columbus Blue Jackets ranked 28th in the league in penalty kill percentage last season (76.02%).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets suffered the most losses when tied or leading after Period 2 last season (23).
- The Buffalo Sabres ranked 4th in the league in penalty kill percentage last season (81.90%).
- The Buffalo Sabres ranked 5th in the league for goals per game last season (3.45).
Sabres vs Blue Jackets Prediction
The Blue Jackets are 3-1 in their last 4 meetings against the Sabres and have won their last three meetings in Columbus. Under is 5-2-1 in their last 8 meetings.
In this Sabres vs Blue Jackets Prediction, the Blue Jackets are coming as -110 home favorites. The Sabres were the better team last season and are expected to be better this season as well, but I don’t trust them to open the season with a road win, in a venue where they have not won in years. Both teams were very good defensively last season, as they allowed less than 6 goals per game combined and they both had more under games than overs throughout the season. Under is also 5-2-1 in their last 8 meetings, so I will go with the under 6.5 in this one.