The Columbus Blue Jackets (19-35-6) are on the road to take on the Buffalo Sabres (31-23-4), who will be looking to extend their winning streak, at KeyBank Center on Tuesday. Columbus is coming off a 3-2 overtime loss against the Wild on Sunday.
The Blue Jackets committed only two penalties in the game, yet still conceded a power play goal. Liam Foudy and Mathieu Olivier each scored once for the Blue Jackets.
Elvis Merzlikins had a terrific performance with 41 saves (.931%) in the loss. Buffalo won for the third game in a row, beating the Capitals 7-4 on Sunday. Dylan Cozens scored a hat trick to lead the Sabres. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen surrendered four goals on 30 shots (.866%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Sabres won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 9-4 victory in December. Tage Thompson led Buffalo with six points (5G 1A). Patrik Laine and Gustav Nyquist each had two goals to lead Columbus. Luukkonen got the win despite saving only 20 of 24 shots (.833%).
FACING OFF
Columbus is averaging 2.55 goals per game for the season, 30th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Sabres team that is allowing 3.48 goals a game (24th).
Meanwhile, Buffalo has found the net 3.78 times a game on average, second in the league, and will be looking to capitalize on the Blue Jackets’ weak defense, which is allowing opponents to score 3.68 goals per game (30th).
The Blue Jackets will be seeking to add to their 29th-ranked power play percentage of 16.46% against the Sabres, who are the league’s third-weakest penalty killing team (72.78%).
Buffalo, meanwhile, has scored on 25.00% of their power play opportunities (6th), which the hosts will be aiming to improve on against Columbus’ 20th-ranked 77.05% penalty killing rate.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 54 points this season, Johnny Gaudreau is the top skater for the Blue Jackets. He has 15 goals and 39 assists in 58 games. In the net, Joonas Korpisalo (11-11-3) is Columbus’ top goaltender by goals against average.
He has a 3.17 GAA and a .911% save percentage. Thompson leads the Sabres in scoring with 79 points (5th in the league). He has 40 goals (3rd in the league) and 39 assists in 58 games.
Craig Anderson (9-7-2) has the best goals against average for Buffalo at 2.70. He has a save percentage of .920%. Luukkonen (14-8-2) has played the most games in net for the Sabres this season. He has a 3.55 GAA and a .893% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Columbus is 6-17-4 away from Nationwide Arena this season. Buffalo is 12-15-2 at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Buffalo Sabres (-210)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our NHL hub page for all your NHL needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
