Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 1/3/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Saturday, January 3, 2026

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: Fanduel Sports Network

Odds/Point Spread: Sabres (-128) Blue Jackets (+106)

The Buffalo Sabres (21-14-4) are traveling to Nationwide Arena on Saturday where they will try to beat the Columbus Blue Jackets (17-16-6). The moneyline on this matchup has Buffalo at -128 and Columbus is opening at +106. The over/under is set at 6.5.

The Buffalo Sabres went home feeling good about their game by earning a 4-1 win over the Stars in their previous game. The Sabres had a impressive offensive outing in this victory. For the game, they were able to notch a goal on 4 out of the 31 shots they put on goal. Moreover, they had 2 chances with extra men on the ice but didn't convert them into a score. Buffalo amassed 4 minutes in the box in this contest.

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While at even strength, the Sabres have conceded 105 goals while having 99 of their own. Buffalo Sabres opponents have earned 107 power play tries (25th in the league) and have scored 16 goals in those attempts. When it comes to their goal scoring prowess, the Buffalo Sabres have racked up 121 goals (16th in the league) so far this season and have conceded 121. Buffalo has tried 1,116 shots and has a shooting percentage of 10.8%. For the current campaign, they have recorded 46 points and their points percentage sits at .590. The Sabres have seen 1,138 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .894. Buffalo comes into the game with 117 power play opportunities and they have scored 22 goals during those advantages, giving them a rate of 18.80%.

The man protecting the net in this game is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. In his professional hockey career, Luukkonen has 87 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .534. His save percentage currently sits at .898 during his 8,247 mins on the ice. Luukkonen has had 4,760 shot attempts against him and has garnered 4,276 total saves. Opponents have notched 484 goals against Luukkonen in his NHL career and his goals against average per game is 2.97. He has accumulated a mark of 78-70-16 and he started in 163 games. Luukkonen has played in 168 games throughout his pro hockey career.

When they were on the ice last, Columbus faced off against the Devils in a game where the Blue Jackets ended up losing by a final score of 3-2. The Blue Jackets tallied 2 goals out of the 35 shots on goal they attempted. They had 3 opportunities on the power play in this contest but were not able to net one.

The Blue Jackets have accumulated 95 goals at even strength and 19 goals (26th in the league) while having more men on the ice. Columbus has attempted 1,177 shots (6th in the league) and has earned a shooting percentage of 9.69%, while allowing the opposition 1,195 shots. On the campaign, the Columbus Blue Jackets have earned a total of 114 goals, 40 points, as well as a points percentage of .513. They have allowed 130 goals to be scored by way of 103 goals at even strength and 27 goals while they were shorthanded. They have a total of 102 power play chances and they have earned a power play rate of 18.63%. They have accumulated a penalty kill percentage of 75.00% on their opponents 108 power play opportunities, and their save percentage is currently 89.1%.

Across the ice you are expected to see Jet Greaves in net. His opponents are averaging 2.71 goals per game and he has yielded 122 goals in total. Greaves' quality start percentage comes out to 66.7% and he has 30 quality starts in his professional career. He got the starting nod in 45 games and has played 1,178 mins. Greaves is the owner of a lifetime record of 21-19-7 and has been in goal for 47 contests. He has tallied 1,340 saves out of the 1,462 shots attempted against him, giving him a save percentage of .917.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Buffalo (-128)

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