Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, Picks & Odds | 03 Jan 2026

NHL Betting Preview: Sabres vs Blue Jackets

The Buffalo Sabres go up against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena, with face-off scheduled for 16:00 on Saturday, January 3.

The Sabres look excellent value on the Moneyline and our prediction is that the road team will get the better of the Blue Jackets. We’re happy to take the -110 that they win.

Buffalo Sabres have won their previous ten games. A 4-1 triumph recently occurred on the road at American Airlines Center when playing Dallas Stars. Tage Thompson bagged two goals, while Josh Doan and Bowen Byram scored once. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was red hot in this one, making 28 saves (.966).

Columbus Blue Jackets were defeated last time out. Nationwide Arena saw them beaten at home to New Jersey Devils by a 3-2 scoreline. Mason Marchment and Charlie Coyle scored one goal each.

Head-to-Head Statistics

The Blue Jackets have beaten the Sabres in the last two encounters. They won 3-2 at Nationwide Arena and triumphed 4-3 (OT) at KeyBank Center. Both teams have five wins on the board when we look at the 10-game H2H record.

Starting Goalies

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Confirmed)

Season	W-L-OTL:	GAA:	SV%:	SO:
24/25	17-8-3	2.6	.908	1
23/24	27-22-4	2.57	.910	5

Jet Greaves (Confirmed)

Season	W-L-OTL:	GAA:	SV%:	SO:
24/25	24-14-8	2.6	.910	2
23/24	3-6-0	3.49	.908	0

10 wins averaging 3.5 goals from 27.5 shots on goal, with a 16.7% powerplay efficiency. The Sabres have given up 1.8 goals from 27.0 shots, averaging 2.7 penalties with a penalty-killing efficiency of 85.2%.

Tage Thompson is the top points scorer with 14 points, 7 goals and 7 assists, with Rasmus Dahlin racking up 8 points, 2 goals and 6 assists, in the last 10 games. Goalie Alex Lyon have a 2.22 goal against average with a .919 save percentage.

The Blue Jackets have 4 wins and 6 losses, averaging 2.8 goals from 28.5 shots on goal, with a 17.1% powerplay efficiency. They have been conceding 3.2 goals from 28.1 shots, averaging 3.4 penalties per game with a penalty-killing efficiency of 85.3%.

The top points scorer is Zach Werenski with 10 points, 5 goals and 5 assists, while Kirill Marchenko is next in line after having 7 points, 4 goals and 3 assists. Goalie Jet Greaves have a 2.42 GAA with a .914 SV%.

Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction & Picks

We cover the essential Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets betting angles, featuring our main match prediction, correct score pick, top player prop plays and a carefully crafted bet builder.

Game Prediction

Take Buffalo Sabres at -110 on the Moneyline to get the better of their opponents. We believe that they have a strong chance of claiming a victory in this NHL encounter.

We put solid research behind every hockey prediction, starting with recent form and a clear read on injuries. From there, key NHL stats and advanced metrics help complete the picture and support smarter betting decisions

Key Sabres vs Blue Jackets stats:

• Sabres have won 10 consecutive games.
• Sabres have won 14 of their last 20 games.
• Blue Jackets have lost 13 of their last 20 games.
• Blue Jackets have lost 6 of their last 10 games.

Sabres Moneyline Probability

Based on the odds from the top NHL sportsbooks, there’s a 52.4% likelihood of our pick delivering a return. However, our cappers have this figure between 55-60% based on their in-depth research. That means we’re regarding it as a value bet.

Fancy Buffalo to win but want more juice in the odds? Why not take a look at the Puck Line and consider them to cover one of the available lines.

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Our Game Prediction

Sabres Moneyline @ -110 Bet Now

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Disclosure: This preview contains affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. T&Cs apply. We only recommend licensed and regulated operators. See our Editorial Policy. Pick odds and lines reflect the price available at the time of publication (Jan 2, 20:56). Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Player Prop Picks

Top Pick: Kirill Marchenko Over 2.5 Shots -149

Kirill Marchenko (Blue Jackets) has finished with Over 2.5 shots on goal in 3 straight games. We think it’s achievable that he will cover the Shots on Goal line and there are odds of -149 available.

Pick odds and lines correct at publication. Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. T&Cs apply. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Correct Score Prediction

Sabres 4 - 1 Blue Jackets

The Sabres are available to back at +1700 to secure a 4-1 victory. This is a risky but potentially more rewarding bet, with this correct score option providing appeal.

Latest Correct Score Odds

Score

Sabres

Blue Jackets

1-0

Sabres

+6000

Blue Jackets

+6000

2-0

Sabres

+5500

Blue Jackets

+5500

2-1

Sabres

+1600

Blue Jackets

+1600

3-0

Sabres

+4000

Blue Jackets

+4000

3-1

Sabres

+2000

Blue Jackets

+2000

3-2

Sabres

+850

Blue Jackets

+850

4-0

Sabres

+4500

Blue Jackets

+5000

4-1

Sabres

+1700

Blue Jackets

+1800

4-2

Sabres

+1600

Blue Jackets

+1600

4-3

Sabres

+950

Blue Jackets

+950

5-0

Sabres

+8000

Blue Jackets

+8000

5-1

Sabres

+2800

Blue Jackets

+2900

5-2

Sabres

+1700

Blue Jackets

+1800

5-3

Sabres

+2200

Blue Jackets

+2200

5-4

Sabres

+1700

Blue Jackets

+1700

6-0

Sabres

+11000

Blue Jackets

+12000

6-1

Sabres

+6000

Blue Jackets

+6600

6-2

Sabres

+3000

Blue Jackets

+3400

6-3

Sabres

+2800

Blue Jackets

+2900

6-4

Sabres

+4000

Blue Jackets

+4500

6-5

Sabres

+4000

Blue Jackets

+4000

7-1

Sabres

+10000

Blue Jackets

+11000

7-2

Sabres

+7500

Blue Jackets

+9000

7-3

Sabres

+5500

Blue Jackets

+5500

7-4

Sabres

+5500

Blue Jackets

+6000

7-5

Sabres

+9000

Blue Jackets

+9000

7-6

Sabres

+10000

Blue Jackets

+10000

8-2

Sabres

+13000

Blue Jackets

+14000

8-3

Sabres

+12500

Blue Jackets

+14000

8-4

Sabres

+10000

Blue Jackets

+11000

8-5

Sabres

+12000

Blue Jackets

+13000

View More

Pick odds and lines correct at publication. Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. T&Cs apply. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets Odds

The odds and lines below are updated regularly and may differ from the prices shown in our picks, which are captured at the time of publication.

Moneyline odds of -110 can be found about both teams, implying that there is an equal chance of victory. Choose between Columbus Blue Jackets and Buffalo Sabres for the same potential return.

The puck line is 1.5 and the total goals line is currently 6.5. There is no denying the popularity of wagering on Totals. If you want to wager Over 6.5, there are odds of +104.

The good news is that you can access hundreds of team props and game lines for every National Hockey League matchup. The best sportsbooks have a huge range of pre-game and in-game betting options.

Moneyline

Sabres

-110

Blue Jackets

-110

3-Way Moneyline

Sabres

+143

Tie

+310

Blue Jackets

+155

Puck Line

Sabres +1.5

-263

Blue Jackets -1.5

+210

Total Goals

Under 6.5

-128

Over 6.5

+104

The gambling sites also allow you to place player prop bets such as Goaltender Saves, Powerplay Points, Assists and Goals. This means you can focus on an individual player’s performance rather than wager on the actual outcome of the game in question.

Micro betting is something that’s really popular with bettors, with NHL fans essentially being able to bet in-game when it comes to team and player props. Sometimes these are lines where you can wager on Shots or Goals.

Latest regular season and playoff games stats.

Buffalo Sabres Stats

Columbus Blue Jackets Stats

Moneyline

• 10 wins and 0 defeats in the last 10 games
• 7 wins and 3 defeats in the last 10 games on the road

Moneyline

• 4 wins and 6 defeats in the last 10 games
• 4 wins and 6 defeats in the last 10 home games

Puck Line

• +1.5 Betting Line: Have covered the +1.5 puck line in the last 10 games
• +1.5 Betting Line on the Road: Have covered the +1.5 puck line in 7 of the last 10 games on the road

Puck Line

• -1.5 Betting Line: Have covered the -1.5 puck line in 3 of the last 10 games
• -1.5 Betting Line at Home: Have covered the -1.5 puck line in 1 of the last 10 home games

Total Goals

• Game Totals: An average of 5.40 goals in the previous 10 games
• Game Totals on the Road: An average of 5.90 goals in the previous 10 games on the road
• Over 6.5: Covered in 2 of the previous 10 games
• Over 6.5 on the Road: Covered in 3 of the previous 10 games on the road
• Team Totals: Have scored an average of 3.60 goals and allowed 1.80 goals in the last 10 games
• Team Totals on the Road: Have scored an average of 3.10 pts and allowed 2.80 goals in the last 10 games on the road

Total Goals

• Game Totals: An average of 6.00 goals in the previous 10 games
• Game Totals at Home: An average of 6.70 goals in the previous 10 home games
• Over 6.5: Covered in 4 of the previous 10 games
• Over 6.5 at Home: Covered in 6 of the previous 10 home games
• Team Totals: Have scored an average of 2.80 goals and allowed 3.20 goals in the last 10 games
• Team Totals at Home: Have scored an average of 3.10 goals and allowed 3.60 goals in the last 10 home games

Team Stats - Avg/Game

Last 10 Games

• Goals Powerplay: 0.5
• Shots: 27.5
• Goals Shorthanded: 0
• Penalties: 2.7
• Empty Net Goals: 0.5
• Penalty Minutes: 5.4
• Blocks: 11.5
• Faceoff Wins : 24
• Hits: 18
• Giveaways: 16
• Takeaways: 5.8

Last 10 Games on the Road

• Goals Powerplay: 0.7
• Shots: 27.4
• Goals Shorthanded: 0
• Penalties: 3.7
• Empty Net Goals: 0.3
• Penalty Minutes: 8.5
• Blocks: 12.6
• Faceoff Wins : 25.3
• Hits: 17.7
• Giveaways: 13.3
• Takeaways: 5.2

Team Stats - Avg/Game

Last 10 Games

• Goals Powerplay: 0.6
• Shots: 28.5
• Goals Shorthanded: 0
• Penalties: 3.4
• Empty Net Goals: 0.1
• Penalty Minutes: 7.4
• Blocks: 17.2
• Faceoff Wins : 30.9
• Hits: 19.9
• Giveaways: 16.1
• Takeaways: 5.4

Last 10 Home Games

• Goals Powerplay: 0.4
• Shots: 30.3
• Goals Shorthanded: 0.1
• Penalties: 2.5
• Empty Net Goals: 0.1
• Penalty Minutes: 5.5
• Blocks: 17.7
• Faceoff Wins : 29.9
• Hits: 21
• Giveaways: 16.6
• Takeaways: 5

Injuries & Suspensions

Starting Lineups

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