Buffalo Sabres vs
Columbus Blue JacketsPredictions & Preview

Buffalo Sabres to Face Columbus Blue Jackets in Thursday Night Matchup in Ohio, Blue Jackets Favored to Win

The Buffalo Sabres will face off against the Columbus Blue Jackets in a Thursday night matchup in Ohio. Buffalo is coming off a 3-0 victory against Carolina, while Columbus defeated Ottawa 5-2 in their last game. The Sabres hold a 5-4-1 record against the Blue Jackets in their last 10 meetings, including a 3-2 win in their most recent game. Columbus is favored to win this game with the current line at Columbus -140.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Sabres +123 | Blue Jackets -140
• Spread: Sabres +1.5 (-196) | Blue Jackets -1.5 (+165)
• Total: Over/Under 6.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Columbus will win straight-up is 58%.

Buffalo vs Columbus Stats

Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres continue to show strong performance despite being eliminated from playoff contention. They secured their fifth straight win and eighth in the last nine games by shutting down Carolina at home. Currently standing seventh in the Atlantic Division with a 35-36-6 record, they are 22 points behind the division lead. Buffalo ranks 7th in offense, averaging 3.27 goals per game, and 29th in defense, allowing 3.47 goals per game. Their power play success rate is 18.2% and penalty killing rate is 76.6%, ranking 26th and 24th respectively. In their recent game against Carolina, the Sabres outscored their opponents 2-0 in the second period and sealed the win with a third-period goal. James Reimer made 33 saves to earn a shutout victory, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start in the next game. Despite their current power ranking of 27, Buffalo continues to show determination and strong gameplay.

Columbus Blue Jackets Analysis

The Columbus Blue Jackets recently broke a losing streak by defeating Ottawa at home. They are currently tied for fourth in the Metropolitan Division, 10 points behind a guaranteed playoff spot. In terms of statistics, the Blue Jackets are tied for 10th in goals per game but rank 27th in goals against. They are also ranked 22nd in power play success and 25th in penalty killing. In their recent game against Ottawa, Columbus had a strong performance with goals from Dmitri Voronkov, Justin Danforth, Mathieu Olivier, Sean Monahan, and Adam Fantilli. Goalie Elvis Merzlikins made 33 saves to secure the win. Columbus is currently ranked 7th in power rankings and has a record of 35-33-9. Their next game likely sees Merzlikins starting in goal. Against Buffalo, Columbus has won two out of three matchups.

Buffalo Sabres Eliminated from Playoff Contention; Columbus Blue Jackets Still in the Running

The Buffalo Sabres have faced challenges this season, including a 13-game losing streak that ultimately impacted their playoff chances. Despite recent improvements in their performance, they were eliminated from playoff contention on Tuesday night. On the other hand, the Columbus Blue Jackets are still in the running for a playoff spot, albeit trailing Montreal by eight points with five games left in the season. With no room for error at this crucial stage, the Blue Jackets must approach their upcoming games with determination and focus. While the Sabres may be deflated following their elimination, the Blue Jackets have a slight advantage, especially when playing at home. It will be important for Columbus to maintain their momentum and continue to push for a spot in the playoffs.

Sources: [ 4 ] [ 5 ]