Overview
The Buffalo Sabres are in Columbus tonight where they take on the Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets have played the Sabres well over the past couple seasons winning 4 of the last 6 meetings overall but they have lost the last 2 meetings played at home in Columbus.
Head to Head Trends
Over is 6-1-1 in the last 8 meetings.
Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Columbus.
Columbus Blue Jackets (-1.5 -115)
The Columbus Blue Jackets are 5th in the Metropolitan Division with 85 points and although they have been out of the playoff picture for a while now they have been playing some great hockey over the last month winning 13 of their last 15 games. Over the Blue Jackets last 10 games they are allowing just 2.3 goals which is definitely solid but what has really helped in winning all these games is their offense scoring 4.2 goals per game up from their season average of 2.8.
There is one thing I’m kind of concerned about with the Jackets play of late and that is even though their goals for versus goals against is great they have been getting out-shot on a regular basis averaging just 30.0 shots per game on offense while allowing 35.1 shots per game so the question is are they playing good or just getting lucky.
Columbus Blue Jackets Trends
Blue Jackets are 12-2 in their last 15 overall.
Blue Jackets are 5-0 in their last 5 home games.
Buffalo Sabres (+1.5 +105)
The Buffalo Sabres are last in the Atlantic Division with just 54 points which is also last in the entire league for the second year in a row although they did beat last seasons 52 point total so that’s a positive.
The Sabres have actually won 3 of their last 5 games which seem pretty impressive for a team as bad as the Sabres but when you look at those wins a little closer they were against the Hurricanes, Leafs, and Coyotes which are 3 of the other worst teams in the league so that makes it a little less impressive.
Buffalo Sabres Trends
Sabres are 12-39 in their last 51 overall.
Sabres are 10-43 in their last 53 road games.
Conclusion
I don’t do this very often but I’m going to make an exception here and bet the Blue Jackets on the puckline. The Sabres are just plain old bad and the Blue Jackets are on fire right now winning 10 of their last 11 games so you would really have to think they should win this one by at least a couple goals.
Free Pick: Columbus Blue Jackets -1.5 +105
