Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets Score Prediction
The Columbus Blue Jackets (18-27-10) and Buffalo Sabres (25-27-4) meet in a battle of two teams well outside of the NHL playoffs on Friday. Buffalo is sixth in the NHL standings for the Atlantic Division and the Blue Jackets are eighth in the Metropolitan Division. Buffalo won the last meeting between the two NHL teams, winning 3-2 in Buffalo on December 30, 2023.
Sabres vs Blue Jackets Picks
- Pick: Buffalo -1.5 (+175)
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (2.52 GAA, .911 save percentage) is the projected starting goaltender for the Sabres and Elvis Merzlikins (3.33 GAA, .901 save percentage) is expected to start for the Blue Jackets.
Let’s take a look at the Sabres vs Blue Jackets score prediction, coupled with expert scores and odds analysis.
Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets Information
Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets Information
Sabres vs Blue Jackets
Location of the game: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio
Date & Time: Friday, February 23 at 7 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN+ and Sportsnet (Canada)
Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets Recent Scores
The Sabres are 5-5-0 in their last 10 NHL matchups. They’re coming off of a 3-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday. Luukkonen made 29 saves in the win and Alex Tuch scored the game-winning goal in the second period. Buffalo has four four road games in a row.
The Columbus Blue Jackets standings have been awful all season and the team hasn’t been much better in the last 10 NHL games as they’re 4-5-1 during that stretch. They did, however, win their most recent game before the Sabres vs Blue Jackets score prediction, beating the Anaheim Ducks 7-4 on Wednesday. Sean Kuraly and Zach Werenski each scored two goals.
Last Game Records
Buffalo
The Sabres are 3-2-0 in their last five NHL games against the Blue Jackets. They beat the Blue Jackets 3-2 earlier this season, but also lost 9-4 in another game 10 days prior.
Columbus
The Blue Jackets are 2-2-1 in their last five games on the NHL schedule against the Sabres. Going back even further, they’re 20-13-2 in their last 35 games against the Sabres.
Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
Sabres Struggling to Score in February
Buffalo Sabres news hasn’t been good for much of this season and the results haven’t been much better in February. The Sabres are 3-3 in February and have scored just 17 goals in those six games, which isn’t bad, but seven of those came in a 7-0 win against the Los Angeles Kings. They’re just 22nd in goals per game (2.93) and 27th in PP percentage (14.9). They’ve been a little better defensively, ranking 14th in goals allowed (3.05) and seventh in shots allowed (29.1).
Casey Mittlestadt leads the Sabres in scoring with 44 points (13 goals, 31 assists), although he is pointless in his last two NHL matchups. Rasmus Dahlin is second in NHL player stats for Buffalo with 43 points (14 goals, 29 assists). Buffalo is 13-11-3 on the road this season.
For the Sabres vs Blue Jackets score prediction, Buffalo is without Owen Power, Mattias Samuelsson, Jack Quinn, and Victor Olofsson.
Blue Jackets Second-Last in Goals Allowed
Columbus should struggle to score against a Sabres team with an improving defense. The Blue Jackets, despite scoring seven against the Ducks, are 21st in goals (2.96) and 31st in goals allowed (3.73). Team defense and goaltending have been a problem all season for Columbus, especially on home ice – they’ve allowed at least four goals in seven consecutive home games.
Johnny Gaudreau, one of the best NHL picks in the league for forwards, leads the Blue Jackets in scoring with a modest 40 points (8 goals, 32 assists). Werenski is second with 33 points (4 goals, 29 assists).
Adam Fantilli and Patrik Laine are on the NHL injury report for the Blue Jackets.
Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets Odds Breakdown
The Sabres are -140 moneyline favorites with -1.5 (+175) NHL odds for the puck line. The Blue Jackets have +120 moneyline odds and +1.5 (-210) puck line odds. The over/under is 6.5 according to BetUS.
Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets Pick and Prediction
- Final Score Prediction: Sabres 5-3
- Pick: Buffalo -1.5 (+175)
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