Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets Matchup

Keep reading to see our Sabres vs Blue Jackets NHL pick and preview. In this article we will outline who will come away with the win and cover the puck line.

  • The Sabres come in at 1-3-1.
  • Buffalo is 13th in power play goals this season.
  • Buffalo will look to get back on track after an overtime loss to the Penguins.
  • The Blue Jackets face the Sabres at 1-2-0.
  • Columbus are currently 6th in assists this season..
  • The Blue Jackets are looking to bounce back from a loss to the Panthers.

Sabres vs Blue Jackets Preview

Planning on watching today's Sabres and Blue Jackets game? Catch the action at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH, as the Blue Jackets hosts this showdown at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The Sabres are favored by -1.5 in this Eastern conference contest against the Blue Jackets. The game's over/under currently sits at 6.5 goals.

Sabres vs. Blue Jackets Matchup At A Glance

  • Sport: NHL
  • Teams: Buffalo Sabres at Columbus Blue Jackets
  • Where: Columbus at Nationwide Arena
  • Date: Thursday, October 17th
  • Betting Odds BUF -1.5, BUF -127 | CBJ +107 O/U 6.5

Sabres Preview: Can Buffalo Stun the Crowd at Nationwide Arena?

The Sabres fell to 1-3-1 with a 6-5 overtime loss to the Penguins. Buffalo held a 3-1 lead after the first period, but Pittsburgh tied it up by the end of the second. The Sabres regained the lead in the third, only to see the Penguins score at 19:14 to send the game to overtime, where Sidney Crosby netted the winner for Pittsburgh.

With a total line set at 6.5 goals, the game easily went over, as the teams combined for 11 goals. Buffalo, as the underdog on the puck line, failed to cover. Four different Sabres players scored in the game, with JJ Peterka leading the way with two goals.

Buffalo's offense came out strong in their 6-5 overtime loss to the Penguins, scoring three times in the first period. JJ Peterka found the net twice, bringing his season total to two goals, while Ryan McLeod added his first goal of the year. Jordan Greenway also scored for the second time this season.

The Sabres took 33 shots on goal and recorded 17 giveaways. Alex Tuch picked up two assists, giving him four on the season, while Bowen Byram added his third assist. Buffalo was unable to convert on any power play opportunities.

Buffalo's defense will be looking to bounce back after allowing six goals to the Penguins, including the game-winner in overtime. The Sabres had a 5-4 lead late in the 3rd period, but they gave up a goal with just 46 seconds left, followed by another 1:38 into OT. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen finished with 37 saves and an 86% save percentage. The Sabres' defense also recorded 6 takeaways and 19 hits.

Blue Jackets Preview: Do the Blue Jackets Have What it Takes at Home?

Columbus dropped to 1-2-0 after a 4-3 loss to the Panthers. The Blue Jackets were underdogs on the puck line, and the total for the game was set at 6.5 goals. The combined 7 goals pushed the game over the total.

Columbus took the lead at 19:19 in the second period, but the Panthers responded with three unanswered goals. James van Riemsdyk scored for the Blue Jackets at 17:21 in the third period, but it wasn’t enough to catch up.

Columbus fired 38 shots on goal but only came away with 3 goals in their 4-3 loss to the Panthers. Cole Sillinger netted his first goal of the season, while Sean Monahan added his second. James van Riemsdyk rounded out the scoring with his second goal of the year, coming at the 2:39 mark in the third period.

The Blue Jackets’ first goal came from Sillinger, who scored shorthanded just 41 seconds into the second period. Damon Severson picked up his fourth assist on van Riemsdyk’s late goal, and Kevin Labanc earned his second assist of the season.

Columbus' defense struggled in their last game, giving up four goals on 22 shots from the Panthers. Goalie Elvis Merzlikins made 18 saves but finished with a save percentage of 81.8%. The Blue Jackets' defense also allowed a crucial goal at 4:48 in the 3rd period, putting them down 4-2. They finished with 7 takeaways and 17 hits.

Sabres vs Blue Jackets Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

  • When looking at their past three road matchups, Buffalo has an puck line record of 2-1 while averaging 3 per game. The team went 1-2 overall in these games.
  • Through their last ten home games, Columbus has an puck line record of just 8-2. However, their overall record was 5-5 while averaging 3 goals per game.
  • In their last five games as the betting underdog, the Blue Jackets have a straight up record of 2-3 and an puck line mark of 4-1.
  • In their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Sabres have a straight up record of 7-3 and an puck line mark of 5-5.

Bet on the Sabres vs Blue Jackets Game

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Sabres vs Blue Jackets Free Pick

Be sure to check out our other NHL Hockey betting previews for this week. KnupSports.com also updates their sports betting picks page daily with plays across all sports.
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