Columbus Blue Jackets vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 4/9/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

KeyBank Center is where the Buffalo Sabres (46-23-8) will try to beat the Columbus Blue Jackets (38-27-12) on Thursday.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will look for better times on the ice after their 2-1 loss to the Jets their last time out. Columbus earned 2 minutes in the box in this game. The Blue Jackets had a below average offensive outing in this defeat. Furthermore, they had 1 power play chance but didn't get a goal. While out there on the ice, they tallied a score on 1 out of the 16 shots they put on goal.

Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have recorded 211 power play tries (23rd in hockey) and have a total of 50 goals in those attempts. The Blue Jackets so far have had 2,236 shots attempted against them and hold a save percentage of .894. Columbus has attempted 2,242 shots and has a shooting percentage of 10.5%. When at even strength, the Blue Jackets let the opposition score 186 goals while notching 199 on offense. Columbus has accounted for 185 power play chances and they have added 36 goals during those advantages, garnering them a rate of 19.46%. For the current campaign, they have accumulated 88 points and their points percentage is sitting at .571. In terms of scoring goals, the Columbus Blue Jackets have earned 235 goals (17th in the NHL) so far this year and have allowed 236.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Jet Greaves. Greaves has been involved in 71 games during his NHL career. He has earned a record of 34-25-11 and he has gotten the start in 68 games. Opponents have scored 182 goals against Greaves in his NHL career and his goals against average is 2.68. Greaves has seen 2,126 shots against him and has recorded 1,944 total saves. His save percentage is .914 for his 1,237 minutes played. For his professional hockey career, Greaves has accumulated 46 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .676.

When they were on the ice last, Buffalo played the Lightning in a matchup where the Sabres ended up with the victory by a final score of 4-2. They had 4 chances on the power play in this one but weren't able to put one in the back of the net. The Sabres notched 4 goals of the 29 shots on goal they tried.

Buffalo has put up 2,176 shots (13th in professional hockey) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 11.99%, while allowing the opposition 2,255 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 82.08% on the other teams 212 power play chances, and their save percentage currently sits at 89.8%. They have a total of 231 power play opportunities and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 20.78%. The Sabres have earned 213 goals at even strength and 48 goals (16th in the league) while on the power play. They have granted a total of 231 goals to be scored by of a combination of 193 goals at even strength and 38 goals while they had less men on the ice. So far this year, the Buffalo Sabres are sitting with 261 goals, 100 points, and a points percentage of .649.

For the opposition you are going to see Alex Lyon protecting the net. Lyon is the owner of a career mark of 71-48-15 and has participated in 149 games. Lyon's percentage of quality starts sits at 55.2% and he has made 74 quality starting assignments in his pro career. He has a tally of 3,670 stops out of the 4,065 shots tried, which gives him a save percentage of .903. Opponents are averaging 2.95 goals per game and he has surrendered 395 goals in total. He got the starting nod in 134 games and has been on the ice for 6,072 mins.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Columbus

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