Columbus Blue Jackets vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, Picks & Odds | 04 Feb 2025

The Blue Jackets and the Sabres could struggle to light the lamp and the -115 that Under 6.5 goals happens could be the bet to have. These odds have plenty of appeal.

Columbus Blue Jackets were beaten in their previous game and this was on the road at American Airlines Center. Dallas Stars claimed a 5-3 win. Adam Fantilli, Ivan Provorov and Cole Sillinger scored one goal each.

Buffalo Sabres were winners for the third straight time in their last game. Landing a 4-3 home victory against New Jersey Devils at KeyBank Center. There were four different goalscorers including Tage Thompson.

Head-to-Head Statistics

It was a 6-4 win for the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena when they last played the Sabres. The past 10 clashes between these teams have seen six the Blue Jackets wins.

Starting Goalies

Elvis Merzlikins (Confirmed)

Season	W-L-OTL:	GAA:	SV%:	SO:
24/25	6-5-1	4.1	.879	0
23/24	13-17-8	3.45	.897	1

James Reimer (Confirmed)

Season	W-L-OTL:	GAA:	SV%:	SO:
24/25	10-10-2	3.1	.896	1
23/24	11-8-2	3.11	.904	2

6 wins, 3 losses and 1 overtime loss, averaging 2.7 goals from 25.7 shots on goal, with a 4.6% powerplay efficiency. The Blue Jackets have given up 2.4 goals from 29.9 shots, averaging 2.7 penalties with a penalty-killing efficiency of 85.2%.

Adam Fantilli is the top points scorer with 10 points, 6 goals and 4 assists, with Kent Johnson recording 10 points, 4 goals and 6 assists, over the past 10 games. Goalie Elvis Merzlikins have a 2.18 goal against average with a .924 save percentage.

The Sabres have 5 wins and 5 losses, averaging 3.4 goals from 32.5 shots on goal, with a 9.8% powerplay efficiency. They have conceded 3.7 goals from 29.5 shots, averaging 3.4 penalties per game with a penalty-killing efficiency of 82.4%.

The top points scorer is Tage Thompson with 14 points, 7 goals and 7 assists, while John-Jason Peterka is next best after having 11 points, 5 goals and 6 assists. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen have a 3.04 GAA with a .892 SV%.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction & Picks

Game Prediction

We don’t think there will be a huge number of goals in this NHL encounter. Our pick is to grab the -115 when it comes to backing unders which means we need six or less scored.

Team news plays a valuable role and we’re always monitoring the players who have an injury concern. We’ve also got a handle on the form guide, with plenty of data provided which puts you in the picture in terms of team, player and goalie stats.

Key Blue Jackets vs Sabres stats:

• The 6.5 line hasn’t been covered in 8 of the last 10 Blue Jackets games.
• The 6.5 line hasn’t been covered in 3 of the last 5 Blue Jackets games.

Under 6.5 Probability

The sportsbooks imply that our pick has a 53.5% prospect of winning. However, our analysts have this figure closer to 60% based on their in-depth research. That means we’re regarding it as a value wager.

We recommend moving the line if you want more juice from your Total bet. If you’re going Under, then consider a slightly riskier wager which has a bigger payout.

Our Game Prediction

Under 6.5 Goals @ -115 Bet Now

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Gamble responsibly 18+. All odds are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change. To use the Bookmaker Live Streaming services you will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. Geo-restrictions apply.

Player Prop Picks

Top Pick: John-Jason Peterka Over 2.5 Shots +125

John-Jason Peterka (Sabres) has covered the 2.5 shots on goal total in 4 of the past 5 games. The stats suggest that he can oblige with our Overs wager and we’re more than happy to take the +125 available.

Latest John-Jason Peterka Player Prop Odds

Goals

Anytime

+170

First

+1000

Shots on Goal

Over 2.5

+105

Under 2.5

-133

T&C apply. Gamble responsibly 18+

Correct Score Prediction

Blue Jackets 3 - 2 Sabres

The Blue Jackets can be backed to win 3-2 when it comes to the correct score. We’ll go for the +1000 that this happens and hopefully we’ll get a good run for our money.

Latest Correct Score Odds

Score

Blue Jackets

Sabres

1-0

Blue Jackets

+6000

Sabres

+5000

2-0

Blue Jackets

+6000

Sabres

+4500

2-1

Blue Jackets

+1700

Sabres

+1400

3-0

Blue Jackets

+4500

Sabres

+2800

3-1

Blue Jackets

+2500

Sabres

+1700

3-2

Blue Jackets

+1000

Sabres

+800

4-0

Blue Jackets

+6000

Sabres

+3000

4-1

Blue Jackets

+2200

Sabres

+1300

4-2

Blue Jackets

+2000

Sabres

+1400

4-3

Blue Jackets

+1150

Sabres

+950

5-0

Blue Jackets

+11000

Sabres

+5000

5-1

Blue Jackets

+4000

Sabres

+1900

5-2

Blue Jackets

+2200

Sabres

+1300

5-3

Blue Jackets

+2900

Sabres

+2000

5-4

Blue Jackets

+2200

Sabres

+1800

6-0

Blue Jackets

+2200

Sabres

+7500

6-1

Blue Jackets

+9000

Sabres

+4000

6-2

Blue Jackets

+4500

Sabres

+2200

6-3

Blue Jackets

+3500

Sabres

+2400

6-4

Blue Jackets

+5500

Sabres

+4000

6-5

Blue Jackets

+5000

Sabres

+4500

7-0

Blue Jackets

+5000

Sabres

+11000

7-1

Blue Jackets

+14000

Sabres

+6600

7-2

Blue Jackets

+12000

Sabres

+5500

7-3

Blue Jackets

+7500

Sabres

+4500

7-4

Blue Jackets

+7500

Sabres

+5500

7-5

Blue Jackets

+11000

Sabres

+9000

7-6

Blue Jackets

+12000

Sabres

+11000

8-1

Blue Jackets

+12000

Sabres

+11000

8-2

Blue Jackets

+12000

Sabres

+9000

8-3

Blue Jackets

+12000

Sabres

+10000

8-4

Blue Jackets

+14000

Sabres

+9000

8-5

Blue Jackets

+15000

Sabres

+12500

View More

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Buffalo Sabres Odds

The odds and lines are updated on a frequent basis. You might therefore find that they are different to the ones listed for the above betting predictions.

Sportsbooks’ favorites Buffalo Sabres are regarded as likeliest victors for this game and the -167 about them triumphing means a 63% chance based on their current Moneyline betting odds. Columbus Blue Jackets are trading at bigger odds than their opponents and they can be backed at +138.

The puck line is 1.5, with the total goals line at 6.5. A Totals bet relates to the number of goals that will be scored overall. If you fancy Over 6.5, this outcome can be backed at -102.

Those wanting to back the Sabres to win the Race to 3 Goals betting can get odds of -135 that the favorites oblige. If you want to back the Blue Jackets, then odds of +210 can be found.

National Hockey League fans are spoilt for choice thanks to the wide range of game lines and team props which are available for every clash on the coupon. Head to the betting sites and find the best value wagers.

Moneyline

Blue Jackets

+138

Sabres

-167

3-Way Moneyline

Blue Jackets

+240

Tie

+340

Sabres

-114

Puck Line

Blue Jackets +1.5

-189

Sabres -1.5

+152

Total Goals

Under 6.5

-120

Over 6.5

-102

Favorite Tage Thompson is available at +750 to be the First Goalscorer. Similar odds apply if you’re interested in this player to score the last goal.

Player Goals

Tage Thompson (Sabres)

First

+114

Anytime

+750

Alex Tuch (Sabres)

First

+170

Anytime

+1000

John-Jason Peterka (Sabres)

First

+170

Anytime

+1000

Kent Johnson (Blue Jackets)

First

+195

Anytime

+1150

Jason Zucker (Sabres)

First

+200

Anytime

+1100

Adam Fantilli (Blue Jackets)

First

+215

Anytime

+1200

Dmitri Voronkov (Blue Jackets)

First

+240

Anytime

+1300

Jiri Kulich (Sabres)

First

+240

Anytime

+1300

Dylan Cozens (Sabres)

First

+255

Anytime

+1400

Jack Quinn (Sabres)

First

+255

Anytime

+1400

Cole Sillinger (Blue Jackets)

First

+265

Anytime

+1400

Zach Benson (Sabres)

First

+275

Anytime

+1400

Rasmus Dahlin (Sabres)

First

+295

Anytime

+1500

Isak Rosén (Sabres)

First

+295

Anytime

+1500

Ryan McLeod (Sabres)

First

+295

Anytime

+1500

Tyson Kozak (Sabres)

First

+320

Anytime

+1600

James van Riemsdyk (Blue Jackets)

First

+360

Anytime

+1800

Peyton Krebs (Sabres)

First

+375

Anytime

+1900

Zach Werenski (Blue Jackets)

First

+380

Anytime

+1900

Luca Del Bel Belluz (Blue Jackets)

First

+410

Anytime

+2000

Justin Danforth (Blue Jackets)

First

+410

Anytime

+2000

Jordan Greenway (Sabres)

First

+410

Anytime

+2000

Bowen Byram (Sabres)

First

+450

Anytime

+2200

Player Shots

Zach Werenski (Blue Jackets)

Over 3.5

+130

Under 3.5

-169

Alex Tuch (Sabres)

Over 2.5

+125

Under 2.5

-161

John-Jason Peterka (Sabres)

Over 2.5

+105

Under 2.5

-133

Adam Fantilli (Blue Jackets)

Over 2.5

-100

Under 2.5

-132

Dylan Cozens (Sabres)

Over 2.5

+140

Under 2.5

-185

Rasmus Dahlin (Sabres)

Over 2.5

-111

Under 2.5

-118

Kent Johnson (Blue Jackets)

Over 1.5

-143

Under 1.5

+110

Dmitri Voronkov (Blue Jackets)

Over 1.5

-200

Under 1.5

+150

Cole Sillinger (Blue Jackets)

Over 1.5

-175

Under 1.5

+135

There are always opportunities to enjoy NHL micro betting. It’s generally the case that you will find team and player props in-game and bettors can use their insight to wager on outcomes such as the Next Goal or Next Goalscorer.

Latest regular season and playoff games stats.

Columbus Blue Jackets Stats

Buffalo Sabres Stats

Moneyline

• 6 wins and 4 defeats in the last 10 games
• 6 wins and 4 defeats in the last 10 games on the road

Moneyline

• 5 wins and 5 defeats in the last 10 games
• 7 wins and 3 defeats in the last 10 home games

Puck Line

• +1.5 Betting Line: Have covered the +1.5 puck line in 8 of the last 10 games
• +1.5 Betting Line on the Road: Have covered the +1.5 puck line in 8 of the last 10 games on the road

Puck Line

• -1.5 Betting Line: Have covered the -1.5 puck line in 4 of the last 10 games
• -1.5 Betting Line at Home: Have covered the -1.5 puck line in 6 of the last 10 home games

Total Goals

• Game Totals: An average of 6.00 goals in the previous 10 games
• Game Totals on the Road: An average of 5.80 goals in the previous 10 games on the road
• Over 6.5: Covered in 3 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 3.40 goals and allowed 2.60 goals in the last 10 games
• Team Totals on the Road: Have scored an average of 3.10 pts and allowed 2.70 goals in the last 10 games on the road

Total Goals

• Game Totals: An average of 6.30 goals in the previous 10 games
• Game Totals at Home: An average of 6.20 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 4 of the previous 10 home games
• Team Totals: Have scored an average of 3.20 goals and allowed 3.10 goals in the last 10 games
• Team Totals at Home: Have scored an average of 3.50 goals and allowed 2.70 goals in the last 10 home games

Team Stats - Avg/Game

Last 10 Games

• Goals Powerplay: 0.4
• Shots: 32.3
• Goals Shorthanded: 0
• Penalties: 3.6
• Empty Net Goals: 0.2
• Penalty Minutes: 8.1
• Blocks: 16.1
• Faceoff Wins : 29.6
• Hits: 20.5
• Giveaways: 14.7
• Takeaways: 5.3

Last 10 Games on the Road

• Goals Powerplay: 0.4
• Shots: 31.4
• Goals Shorthanded: 0.1
• Penalties: 3.7
• Empty Net Goals: 0.2
• Penalty Minutes: 8.6
• Blocks: 16
• Faceoff Wins : 28.4
• Hits: 23.5
• Giveaways: 13
• Takeaways: 5.4

Team Stats - Avg/Game

Last 10 Games

• Goals Powerplay: 0.7
• Shots: 29.5
• Goals Shorthanded: 0.3
• Penalties: 4.7
• Empty Net Goals: 0.2
• Penalty Minutes: 11.3
• Blocks: 16.1
• Faceoff Wins : 25.5
• Hits: 19.5
• Giveaways: 14.7
• Takeaways: 4.7

Last 10 Home Games

• Goals Powerplay: 0.6
• Shots: 30.5
• Goals Shorthanded: 0.4
• Penalties: 4.1
• Empty Net Goals: 0.3
• Penalty Minutes: 9
• Blocks: 14.8
• Faceoff Wins : 26.8
• Hits: 17.6
• Giveaways: 15.4
• Takeaways: 5

Injuries & Suspensions

Starting Lineups

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