Free NHL Hockey Prediction: Sabres vs. Blue Jackets NHL Odds
Looking for Buffalo Sabres vs. Columbus Blue Jackets free hockey plays & NHL Odds? NHL betting sees the Sabres taking on the Blue Jackets on Friday April 14th at Nationwide Arena in Columbus. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NHL Hockey games all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily NHL hockey predictions like this Sabres Blue Jackets matchup.
NHL Hockey Handicapping – Sabres vs. Columbus
(41-33-7) Buffalo Sabres vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (25-47-9)
Date: Friday April 14th – Sabres vs. Columbus
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Venue: Nationwide Arena, Columbus
Hockey NHL Money Line Odds: Sabres -165 Blue Jackets +145 (Bet Now!)
NHL Hockey Puck Line Odds: Sabres -1.5 +150 Blue Jackets +1.5 -170
Today’s NHL Betting Total: O/U 7.0
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Originally scheduled for December 27th 2022 this game was pushed back until now due to extreme weather conditions closing the Buffalo Airport at the time.
The two squads are finishing up their season in this contest after splitting the first two games at one a piece. Buffalo took the first meeting this season 9-4 at Nationwide Arena, while the Blue Jackets won 5-3 most recently in Buffalo.
Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres put up a valiant fight but fell short of their bid for their first playoff bid in twelve years. Should the Sabres win this game, they would have needed just a single win somewhere along the line to have clinched a Wild Card berth.
With a 41-33-7 overall record, there’s a lot to be happy about in year over year progression for the club. They’re on the right track and with a 24-13-3 away tally, they’re looking good to finish things on a high note.
Buffalo lost just three of their past eleven games down the stretch which is heartbreaking considering two of those losses were by just a single goal.
Narrowing the scope, they’re 4-1 in their last five which included wins over Carolina and the New York Rangers.
Offense
Up front, the offense was there this season for the Sabres who have the 4th ranked offense which is producing an average of 3.56 goals scored per game. Their power play ranks inside the top ten, operating at 23.5%, thanks to the play of Tage Thompson who contributed a team-high 34 points on the man-advantage.
Thompson was one of four skaters who cracked the 30-goal mark on the team but he was the only one to go past 40 on the year. His 47 goals and 94 points leads the team in both categories this season.
Unfortunately, Thompson didn’t finish Thursday’s game against Ottawa and Head Coach Don Granato said it’s “safe to say” that Tage Thompson won’t play in the season finale.
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Defense
On the back end, things weren’t as positive for Buffalo. They have a 27th ranked defense after allowing an average of 3.64 goals against per game. Their penalty kill was about the same, sitting in the 28th slots with a success rate of 72.9% on the year.
Rasmus Dahlin led the offense from the back end with his 15 goals and 73 points on the season.
Goaltending
Things weren’t exactly what you would call “solid” in net for the team. Following the signing of standout prospect Devon Levi, the Sabres have used four different goalies this season. Craig Anderson picked up the 4-3 OT win in Thursday’s home finale, after which he announced that he would be retiring after this season.
Following a positive first six games, Levi should get the start here with his 4-2-0 record to start his pro career.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets have had an awful season, just from the start it’s been horrendous.
They have a 25-47-9 record on the year with a 16-22-2 tally on home ice this season. Columbus has just two wins over their last ten games and have allowed four or more goals against in seven of their last eight losses.
Offense
With a 30th ranked offense, the Blue Jackets are averaging just 2.60 goals scored while sporting a 25th ranked power play which has an 18.4% output.
It was quite the drop-off for Johnny Gaudreau who put up 40 goals and 115 points last season with Calgary. While he leads CBJ with 73 points, his 20 goals pale in comparison to his final season with the Flames.
Boone Jenner leads the team with 26 goals with Patrik Laine’s 22 slotting in at second.
Defense
Averaging 4.00 goals against per game, the Blue Jackets have a 31st ranked defense to go with a lackluster penalty kill. When down a man, Columbus has a 75.0% success rate which puts them 25th in the league in that department.
No player on the Blue Jackets is a “plus” this season with defenseman Andrew Peeke contending for the green jacket thanks to his -40.
Goaltending
With Elvis Merzlikins out with an injury, the team has gone with Michael Hutchinson in four straight. It’s unknown if they’ll go back to Hutchinson in the second of a back-to-back but he is coming off a 3-2 OT win over the Penguins Thursday night.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Columbus Blue Jackets NHL Betting Trends:
- Sabres are 6-1 in their last 7 vs. Metropolitan.
- Sabres are 5-2 in their last 7 overall.
- Favorite is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
- Road team is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
- Blue Jackets are 5-11 in their last 16 home games.
- Blue Jackets are 14-39 in their last 53 overall.
Free Buffalo Sabres vs. Columbus Blue Jackets NHL Prediction
Both teams are just running out the clock here and trying not to get hurt. A win actually does more harm than good for the Blue Jackets in terms of their draft lottery odds but that doesn’t matter to the players on the ice.
Unfortunately for CBJ, they’re going up against a high-octane Sabres offense that is still potent even without Tage Thompson in the lineup.
I’m taking the Sabres to bring home the victory in the season finale and hit on the puck line, especially with the potential of a Devon Levi start.
4* Free Buffalo Sabres vs. Columbus Blue Jackets NHL Betting Pick: Sabres PL
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