Sabres vs Blue Jackets Prediction 1/3/26 NHL Picks Today

In this article, we will formulate a Sabres vs Blue Jackets Prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, January 3^rd. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Columbus Blue Jackets Preview

The Blue Jackets have 40 points this season with a 17-16-6 record, and are 20-19 ATS and 18-18 in over/under. They have a 9-9-3 home record and a 8-7-3 road record and are sitting 8th in the Metropolitan Division. They are coming off a 3-2 home loss to the Devils, and their previous three games were a 4-1 road win over the Senators, a 4-2 home win over the Islanders, and a 3-1 road win over the Kings.

Offensively, the Blue Jackets are averaging 2.92 goals per game and are scoring 18.6% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 3.33 goals per game and are killing 75.0% of their opponent’s power plays.

Zach Werenski leads the Blue Jackets with 40 points, also leading the team in assists with 26, while Zach Werenski also leads the team in goals with 14. Jet Greaves is the starting goalie for the Blue Jackets, and he has a 11-10-5 record, with 2.62 GAA and .909 SV%. Elvis Merzlikins is the backup goalie and he has a 6-6-1 record, with 4.04 GAA and .877 SV%.

Buffalo Sabres Preview

The Sabres have 46 points this season with a 21-14-4 record, and are 20-19 ATS and 16-20 in over/under. They have a 12-5-2 home record and a 9-9-2 road record and are sitting 4th in the Atlantic Division. They are coming off a 4-1 road win over the Stars, and their previous three games were a 4-2 road win over the Blues, a 4-1 home win over the Bruins, and a 3-2 road overtime win over the Senators.

Offensively, the Sabres are averaging 3.10 goals per game and are scoring 18.8% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 3.10 goals per game and are killing 85.0% of their opponent’s power plays.

Tage Thompson leads the Sabres with 37 points, also leading the team in goals with 20, while Rasmus Dahlin leads the team in assists with 24. Alex Lyon is the starting goalie for the Sabres, and he has a 10-6-3 record, with 2.82 GAA and .906 SV%. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is the backup goalie and he has a 7-5-1 record, with 2.46 GAA and .903 SV%.

Buffalo Sabres @ Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Trends: January 3, 2026

Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win

• The Blue Jackets have won each of their last eight day games at Nationwide Arena following a loss.
• The Sabres have lost four of their last five road games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in each of their last seven day games.
• The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last three day games following a road win.
• The Blue Jackets have won the third period in each of their last seven day games at Nationwide Arena following a loss.

Why the Buffalo Sabres will win

• The Sabres have won each of their last 10 games.
• The Blue Jackets have lost each of their last five day games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Sabres have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight games.
• The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight home games following a loss.
• The Blue Jackets have lost the third period in each of their last six home games when leading after the second period.

Total Goals Facts

• Eleven of the Blue Jackets’ last 12 day games against opponents on a winning streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Each of the Sabres’ last four games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last 11 games following a road win.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in eight of the Blue Jackets’ last nine home games against the Sabres.

Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts

• Zach Werenski has scored at least one goal in each of his last three appearances.
• Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in 11 of his last 12 appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
• Kirill Marchenko ranks 1st in the league for shootout goals (5) this season.

Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts

• Ryan McLeod has recorded an assist in six of the Sabres’ last seven road games.
• Jason Zucker has scored a goal in three of his last four appearances.
• Noah Ostlund has recorded three shots against the Blue Jackets this season – equal-most against any opponent.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 29th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (75.00%).
• The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 28th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.33).
• The Buffalo Sabres rank 2nd in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (85.05%).
• The Buffalo Sabres rank T1st in the league for power play goals against this season (16).

Sabres vs Blue Jackets Prediction

In their previous meeting earlier this season, the Blue Jackets won 4-3 on the road in overtime and are 3-1 in their last 4 meetings against the Sabres. Under is 4-2 in their last 6 meetings.

In this Sabres vs Blue Jackets Prediction, both teams are coming at a pickem price. The Sabres have been the better team this season with more points and overall wins and have more wins on the road, than the Blue Jackets have at home. They have been the hottest team in hockey lately with 10 consecutive wins, while the Blue Jackets are 4-6 in their last 10 games and 2-4 in their last 6 at home, so the value here lies with the road team that has also been better both offensively and defensively this season. Take the Sabres on the moneyline in this one.