The Columbus Blue Jackets (+115) host the Buffalo Sabres (-135) at Nationwide Arena on Wednesday. The total is 6.5 (O: -115, U: -105)Buffalo (11-13-1) is coming off a high-scoring 6-3 win over the Sharks on Sunday.
The Sabres committed only two penalties in the game, yet still conceded a power play goal. Jack Quinn was the top goalscorer for the Sabres with two goals. Dylan Cozens had three assists to lead the team in scoring. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen allowed three goals on 29 shots against (.896%) in the win.
Columbus (8-14-2) is playing the second of a back-to-back after suffering a 4-1 loss against the Penguins yesterday. Johnny Gaudreau netted the lone goal for the Blue Jackets. Elvis Merzlikins saved only 30 of 34 shots against (.882%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Blue Jackets won all three games between the teams last season, including a 7-3 victory in their final meeting in February, their third straight win against Buffalo. Dean Kukan (2G 1A) and Brendan Gaunce (1G 2A) each had three points to lead Columbus. Mark Pysyk, Tage Thompson, and Kyle Okposo were on the scoresheet for Buffalo. J-F Berube got the win, saving 33 of 36 shots (.916%).
FACING OFF
Buffalo is averaging 3.80 goals per game for the season, second in the NHL. The visitors will hope to take advantage of a Blue Jackets team that is allowing 3.96 goals a game (31st). Meanwhile, Columbus has found the net 2.79 times a game on average, 26th in the league, and the Sabres are allowing opponents to score 3.68 goals per game (28th).
The Sabres’ 27.37% power play percentage is the fifth-best in the league, while the Blue Jackets rank 32nd with a conversion rate of just 14.75%. While strong on the power play, Buffalo has been less successful at penalty killing, as the away team owns the league’s fifth-lowest PK% at 70.59%. Columbus’ 77.92% ranks 18th in the NHL.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 34 points this season, sixth-most in the NHL, Thompson is the top skater for the Sabres. He is among the league leaders with 16 goals (6th) and has added 18 assists. In the net, Craig Anderson (5-4-0) is Buffalo’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.87 GAA and a .916% save percentage.
Eric Comrie (4-7-0) leads the Sabres in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 3.62 and a save percentage of .887%.Gaudreau leads the Blue Jackets in scoring with 27 points. He has nine goals and 18 assists in 24 games. Joonas Korpisalo (4-5-1) has the best goals against average for Columbus at 3.51. He has a save percentage of .905%.
HOME AND AWAY
Buffalo is 5-5-0 away from home this season. Columbus has dropped four straight at home this season. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets are 2-2 without a day off and 1-0 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Sabres are 2-1 with a rest advantage.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Over 6.5 (-135)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
