The Buffalo Sabres (1-3-1) are the favorite when they go on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets (1-2) on Thursday, October 17. The Sabres are -142 on the moneyline to win over the Blue Jackets (+120) in the game, which starts at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN+.
ESPN+ is the place to tune in to watch the Sabres and the Blue Jackets take the ice.
Sabres vs. Blue Jackets Game Info & Odds
When: Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET
TV Channel: ESPN+
Live Stream: Fubo
Live Stream: ESPN+
Where: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio
Favorite: Sabres (-142)
Underdog: Blue Jackets (+120)
Over/under: 6.5
Sabres vs. Blue Jackets Prediction
Puck Line Pick:
Blue Jackets (+1.5)
Pick OU:
Over (6.5)
Score Prediction:
Sabres 4 – Blue Jackets 3
How to Bet on Sabres vs. Blue Jackets
Sabres and Blue Jackets Betting Trends in 2023
Last season, Buffalo and its opponent combined to outscore Thursday’s total of 6.5 goals 31 times.
Last season, 42 games Columbus played finished with more than 6.5 goals.
These two teams combined for 5.8 goals per game last season, 0.7 less than the total set for this contest.
These two teams allowed a combined 6.6 goals per game, 0.1 more than this contest’s over/under.
The Sabres were victorious in 19 of their 30 games (63.3%) when favored on the moneyline a season ago.
Last season the Blue Jackets were an underdog 74 times, and won 22, or 29.7%, of those games.
Sabres Stats & Insights
The Sabres offense’s 13 total goals (2.6 per game) are ranked 10th in the NHL this year.
The Sabres are ranked 26th in total goals against, allowing 3.6 goals per game (18 total) in NHL action.
The team is ranked 29th in goal differential at -5.
The Sabres shoot 9.2% as a team, ranked 25th-best in the league.
The Sabres average 24.2 hits and 14.4 blocked shots per game.
They are scoring at just a 2.6 goals-per-game average (13 total) during that stretch.
On the defensive side, the Sabres have given up 16 goals (3.2 per game) in those 10 outings.
Blue Jackets Stats & Insights in 2023
The Blue Jackets’ 234 goals last season (2.8 per game) ranked them 24th in the league.
The Blue Jackets’ total of 298 goals conceded (3.6 per game) was 31st in the league.
Their -64 goal differential was 29th in the league.
The Blue Jackets’ 9.5% shooting percentage was 26th in the league.
The Blue Jackets did not shut out an opponent last season.
Sabres Key Players to Watch
Alex Tuch has been a big player for Buffalo this season, with six points in five games.
Through five games, Tage Thompson has three goals and zero assists.
In three games, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has a record of 0-2-1. He has conceded 11 goals (3.69 goals against average) and has racked up 76 saves.
Blue Jackets’ Best Players in 2023
Columbus’ Sean Monahan totaled 33 assists and 26 goals in 83 games last season, for 59 points.
Zachary Werenski was pivotal for Columbus’ attack with 57 total points (0.8 per game), including 11 goals and 46 assists in 70 contests.
Elvis Merzlikins had an .897 save percentage (47th in the league) last season, conceding 130 goals (3.4 goals against average). He compiled a 13-17-8 record between the pipes for Columbus.
Sabres vs. Blue Jackets Injuries
Sabres: Nicolas Aube-Kubel: Lower Body (Out)
Blue Jackets: Justin Danforth: Wrist (Out), Gavin Brindley: Finger (Out), Erik Gudbranson: Upper Body (Out), Jordan Dumais: Lower Body (Out), Dmitri Voronkov: Upper Body (Out), Boone Jenner: Shoulder (Out)
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