Blue Jackets vs. Sabres NHL Predictions, Picks and Odds - Jan. 3

The Columbus Blue Jackets (17-16-6) host the Buffalo Sabres (21-14-4) on Saturday, Jan. 3, with the Blue Jackets coming off a loss in their last game and the Sabres a victory. The bookmakers see this as a tight one, with the Blue Jackets -110 to win on the moneyline, and the Sabres at -110.

Columbus lost 3-2 at home in its last game on Dec. 31 against the New Jersey Devils. Six Blue Jackets skaters recorded one point each, including Mason Marchment (one goal) and Kirill Marchenko (one assist).

In its most recent game on Dec. 31, Buffalo secured a 4-1 road victory over the Dallas Stars. Tage Thompson's three points (two goals and one assist) in that matchup led the Sabres.

Before watching this matchup, here is our prediction for which club will secure the win in Saturday's hockey action.

Blue Jackets vs. Sabres Predictions & Pick

Ahead of the upcoming game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Buffalo Sabres, computer-derived moneyline, over/under, and score predictions are below, sourced from Dunkel Index.

• Prediction: Blue Jackets 3 - Sabres 2
• Pick OU: Under 6.5 (Dunkel projecting 5.05 goals)
  

Pick with the best in the business! Get free picks for every game, every week at the Dunkel Index.

Blue Jackets vs. Sabres Moneylines

Take a peek below at the most recent moneylines for the Blue Jackets-Sabres matchup.

• Favorite: Blue Jackets (-110)
• Underdog: Sabres (-110)

Blue Jackets Betting Insights

• The Blue Jackets have won 81.8% of their games when favored on the moneyline this season (9-2).
• Columbus is 9-3 when playing with moneyline odds of -110 or shorter (75.0% win percentage).
• The implied moneyline probability in this game says the Blue Jackets have a 52.4% chance to win.
• In 18 of 39 matches this season, Columbus and its opponent have combined for more than 6.5 goals.

Sabres Betting Insights

• The Sabres have won 11, or 50.0%, of the 22 games they have played while the underdog this season.
• Buffalo has a record of 11-12 in games when sportsbooks have them as underdogs of at least -110 on the moneyline.
• The Sabres have a 52.4% chance to win this game based on the implied probability of the moneyline.
• Buffalo has combined with its opponent to score over 6.5 goals in 16 of 39 games this season.

Blue Jackets Key Stats

• Columbus' 114 total goals (2.9 per game) rank 20th in the league.
• The Blue Jackets have given up 130 total goals (3.3 per game), ranking 22nd in NHL action in goals against.
• It has the league's 27th-ranked goal differential at -16.
• The 19 power-play goals the Blue Jackets have scored this season rank 26th in the NHL (on 102 power-play chances).
• Columbus has the league's 19th-ranked power-play conversion rate (18.63%).
• The Blue Jackets have capitalized with two shorthanded goals this season (19th among NHL squads).
• Columbus has the league's 29th-ranked penalty-kill percentage (75%).
• Columbus has the 13th-ranked faceoff win percentage in the NHL, at 50.9%.
• The Blue Jackets have a 9.8% shooting percentage as a team, which ranks 28th in the league.

Sabres Key Stats

• Buffalo has 121 goals this season (3.1 per game), 18th in the league.
• The Sabres have conceded 121 total goals this season (3.1 per game), 16th in the league.
• Its 0 goal differential ranks 14th in the league.
• The Sabres have 22 power-play goals (on 117 chances), 17th in the NHL.
• Buffalo's power-play percentage (18.8) ranks the team 18th in the league.
• In terms of shorthanded goals, the Sabres have three.
• At 85.05%, Buffalo has the second-best penalty-kill percentage in the league.
• Buffalo is 32nd in faceoff win rate in the NHL (44.4%).
• With a shooting percentage of 10.9%, the Sabres are 15th in the league.