How to Pick the Sabres vs. Blue Jackets Game with Odds, Spread, Betting Line and Stats

The Buffalo Sabres (25-27-4) visit the Columbus Blue Jackets (18-27-10) on Friday, February 23, with both coming off a victory. The bookmakers have made the Sabres solid favorites at -161 on the moneyline, despite being away from home, and the Blue Jackets are at +136.

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Sabres vs. Blue Jackets Picks

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Total Pick

Pick OU: Under 6.5 (model projecting 6.4 goals)

• This season, 23 of Buffalo's 56 games have gone over Friday's over/under of 6.5 goals.
• A total of 30 of Columbus' games have ended with more than 6.5 goals this season.
• The Sabres score 2.93 goals per game, compared to the Blue Jackets' average of 2.96, adding up to 0.6 fewer goals than this contest's over/under of 6.5.
• These two teams are conceding a combined 6.8 goals per game, 0.3 more than this contest's over/under.

Moneyline Pick

Sabres Moneyline: -161

• The Sabres have gone 13-9 this season when listed as a moneyline favorite.
• Buffalo is 5-7 in games it has played with moneyline odds of -161 or shorter (41.7% win percentage).
• Based on the moneyline in this contest, the Sabres' implied win probability is 61.7%.

Blue Jackets Moneyline: +136

• In Columbus' 50 games playing as the moneyline underdog this season, it has 16 wins.
• When the Blue Jackets' moneyline odds are +136 or longer, they have won 10 games out of 34 opportunities.
• Columbus' moneyline gives it an implied probability of 42.4% to win this game.

Score Prediction

Prediction:
Columbus 4, Buffalo 3

Sabres Leaders

• With 13 goals and 32 assists this season, Casey Mittelstadt is one of Buffalo's leading contributors (45 points).
• With 14 goals and 29 assists, Rasmus Dahlin is one of the top offensive options for Buffalo with his 43 points (0.8 per game).
• With 38 points through 49 games (16 goals and 22 assists), Alex Tuch has been an important part of Buffalo's offensive attack this season.
• Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (15-14-2) has a 2.5 goals against average and a save percentage of .911 for Buffalo.

Blue Jackets Points Leaders

• Columbus' Johnny Gaudreau has recorded 32 assists and eight goals in 55 games, good for 40 points.
• Columbus' Zachary Werenski has racked up 33 total points (0.8 per game), with four goals and 29 assists.
• Columbus' Kirill Marchenko has 28 points, courtesy of 16 goals (second on team) and 12 assists (seventh).
• Elvis Merzlikins has a 10-12-7 record this season, with a .900 save percentage (37th in the league). In 32 games, he has 886 saves, and has given up 98 goals (3.3 goals against average).

Sabres' Schedule

Blue Jackets' Schedule

Buffalo vs. Columbus Game Info

• Date: Friday, February 23, 2024
• Time: 7:00 PM ET
• How to Watch on TV: ESPN+, BSOH, and MSG-B
• Location: Columbus, Ohio
• Venue: Nationwide Arena

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