Blue Jackets vs. Sabres Player Props, Picks and Predictions – Tuesday, Dec. 19

We have your Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Buffalo Sabres prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Columbus Blue Jackets hit the road to face the Buffalo Sabres.

The Buffalo Sabres (13-16-3) are set to host the Columbus Blue Jackets (10-17-5) in a clash of Eastern Conference teams. As both squads aim to improve their standings, this game could be a crucial pivot point in their seasons.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Buffalo Sabres Odds Info

Moneyline: Columbus Blue Jackets +150 (BetMGM) / Buffalo Sabres -180 (PointsBet)

Puck Line: -1.5 – Columbus Blue Jackets -155 (BetMGM) / Buffalo Sabres +135 (Bet365)

Total: 6.5 – +110 (PointsBet) / -115 (BetRivers)

Game Info

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 19

Time: 07:00 PM

Location: KeyBank Center – Buffalo, NY

TV: ESPN+

Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Trends

• This season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have hit 19 overs and 13 unders.
• On the road this season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have hit 10 overs and 4 unders.
• As the underdog this season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have hit 18 overs and 10 unders.

Buffalo Sabres Betting Trends

• This season, the Buffalo Sabres have hit 13 overs and 19 unders.
• At home this season, the Buffalo Sabres have hit 4 overs and 10 unders.
• As the favorite this season, the Buffalo Sabres have hit 2 overs and 8 unders.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the course of the last two seasons, the Buffalo Sabres and Columbus Blue Jackets have faced off three times, with the Sabres emerging victorious in two of those encounters while the Blue Jackets claimed one win. Interestingly, the visiting team has swept all three games, indicating a trend of away-team dominance in this matchup. When it comes to betting statistics, the Sabres have covered the spread twice, compared to the Blue Jackets who have done so once. In terms of totals betting, all three games have seen the combined score go over the set Over-Under line, with no instances of the total score falling short of the line. Key statistics from these games reveal a high-scoring affair, with the total score across all three games reaching 28 goals, averaging over 9 goals per game. The Sabres have shown a strong offensive presence, particularly in the game on December 7, 2022, where they scored an impressive 9 goals. The Blue Jackets, while less dominant, have managed to keep the games competitive, especially in their sole win on February 28, 2023, where they scored 5 goals against the Sabres.

The most recent game between the two teams took place on April 14, 2023, with the Buffalo Sabres defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets with a final score of 5-2. The Sabres, who were the visitors and also the favorites with a closing moneyline of -184, managed to cover the spread of 1.5 goals. The game saw the Sabres take control early on, with Johnny Gaudreau scoring within the first minute. The Sabres continued to build on their lead with additional goals from Jeff Skinner, Victor Olofsson, and Alex Tuch, while the Blue Jackets’ Tyler Angle attempted to narrow the gap. Ultimately, Casey Mittelstadt and Peyton Krebs sealed the win for Buffalo in the third period. The Sabres also demonstrated their strength in faceoffs, winning 58% of them, and showcased an effective penalty kill by not allowing any power play goals. The game concluded with the total score surpassing the Over-Under line of 6.5, marking it as an ‘Over’ result.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Buffalo Sabres Predictions

The Buffalo Sabres are looking to bounce back on home ice after a recent loss, holding a record that reflects their struggles to find consistency this season. The Columbus Blue Jackets, not faring much better, are also coming off a loss and sit at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division. Both teams are in dire need of a win to shake off their recent doldrums and gain some much-needed momentum as the season progresses.

Offensively, the Sabres have shown flashes of brilliance, with players like Casey Mittelstadt leading the team in points. The Blue Jackets, on the other hand, have found a reliable scorer in Kirill Marchenko, who tops their goal-scoring charts. Defensively, both teams have room for improvement, with the Sabres giving up goals at an alarming rate and the Blue Jackets struggling to maintain leads. This matchup could come down to which team manages to tighten up their defense and capitalize on offensive opportunities.

Key player matchups to watch include the Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin, who has been contributing significantly from the blue line, and the Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski, who leads his team in assists and points. The game could hinge on these defensive stalwarts’ ability to contribute offensively while shutting down the opposition. With both teams eager to climb out of their respective ruts, expect a competitive game with plenty of action at both ends of the ice.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Buffalo Sabres Pick

The trends and statistics leading up to this matchup between the Buffalo Sabres and the Columbus Blue Jackets suggest that an ‘Over’ bet is the right choice. Historically, these two teams have consistently surpassed the Over-Under line in their recent encounters, with a combined score that averages over 9 goals per game. Additionally, the most recent game between the two on April 14, 2023, ended with a total score that exceeded the Over-Under line of 6.5. Both teams have shown a propensity for high-scoring games, and with the Sabres’ offensive capabilities, as demonstrated by their 9-goal game on December 7, 2022, and the Blue Jackets’ competitive scoring, another over seems likely.

Furthermore, the current season’s trends support the Over pick, with the Blue Jackets hitting the over in all of their last five games as underdogs. The Sabres, while having a mixed record with overs and unders this season, have the offensive firepower to contribute to a high-scoring game. Given the defensive struggles of both teams and their need to secure a win to break out of their slumps, we can expect an aggressive offensive approach from both sides. This, combined with the historical data and the teams’ recent performances, makes the Over a compelling pick for this game.

The Pick: Over 6.5 -115 (BetRivers)

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Picks

Here are the players who have hit over their current prop line in at least 7 of their last 10 games.

Buffalo Sabres