The Columbus Blue Jackets (5-7-0) and Buffalo Sabres (7-4-3) will meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. EST at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y. The game will broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Sabres are favored at -170 on the moneyline, with the Blue Jackets +142 to pull off the upset. The over/under is set at 6.5 (+100o/-120u).
Let's get into our Blue Jackets vs. Sabres predictions and NHL picks.
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Blue Jackets vs. Sabres Prediction
- Pick: Charlie Coyle 1+ Points
Our Columbus vs. Buffalo best bet is on Charlie Coyle to score a point, with the best odds currently available at DraftKings. For all of your NHL bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NHL odds page.
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Blue Jackets vs Sabres Odds
| Blue Jackets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +142 | 6.5 | +142 |
| Sabres Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -170 | 6.5 | -170 |
- Blue Jackets vs. Sabres puck line: -1.5 (+142), +1.5 (-170)
- Blue Jackets vs. Sabres over/under: 6.5 (-102o/-118u)
- Blue Jackets vs. Sabres moneyline: Blue Jackets +142, Sabres -170
Blue Jackets vs. Sabres Preview
How about the Columbus Blue Jackets over the last two weeks? The Blue Jackets have won consecutive games against Dallas and Colorado, gave Carolina a late third-period scare in a 3-2 loss, and picked up a win against Vegas a handful of days earlier.
Columbus has been a little fortunate, controlling just 43.74% of the expected goal share over its last six games, dating back to the Vegas win. The Blue Jackets have also generated the second-fewest scoring chances of any team during that span.
One thing Columbus has done relatively well this season, though, is keep the puck out of the net, allowing 2.94 goals against per 60 minutes.
Head coach Rick Bowness also seems to have found something with the Cole Sillinger-Charlie Coyle-Mathieu Olivier line, as Coyle tallied four points in the 7-2 win over Colorado. That gives some hope to a rather spotty offense. In roughly 90 minutes together, the trio is generating an impressive 4.08 expected goals per 60.
The Buffalo Sabres looked in control during a West Coast road trip last week, shutting out San Jose 2-0, scoring seven against Anaheim, and picking up a win in Los Angeles.
The Sharks and Ducks were particularly favorable matchups for a Buffalo team that has also struggled with offensive consistency this season. Both teams tend to allow plenty of space and play an open style, something Buffalo can exploit throughout its lineup.
Buffalo had a tougher time finding offense against Ottawa, falling 2-1 on Wednesday.
Regardless, these teams opened the season against each other in a game that featured nine total goals. Charlie Coyle had three assists in that matchup, and given both teams' recent inconsistency, I think the Sillinger-Coyle-Olivier line is worth targeting.
Coyle has recorded at least one point in eight of Columbus' 14 games this season, and at this price, I like him to add another one tonight.
Best Bet: Charlie Coyle 1+ Points
