Sabres vs Blue Jackets Prediction 10/1/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Sabres vs Blue Jackets prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, October 1st at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview

The Buffalo Sabres were 50-23-9 last season and they finished with 109 points, which was first in the Atlantic Division. Buffalo was three points ahead of Tampa Bay and Montreal in second, but was four points behind the Hurricanes for the #1 seed in the East. The Sabres started the season with a 4-0 loss to the Rangers and they were just 2-4 through six games. Buffalo had a great season and they were dominant over their last 41 games. The Sabres defeated the Bruins in the first round of the playoffs, but were eliminated by the Canadiens in seven games. Buffalo scored 283 goals last year, which was 5th in the NHL, while they allowed 240 goals against, which was 10th. 

In the preseason, Buffalo went 1-2-1, which was second to last in the Atlantic Division. The Sabres defeated the Blue Jackets, but lost to the Penguins twice and the Red Wings once. Buffalo is led by Tage Thompson, who had 40 goals and 41 assists, while Rasmus Dahlin added 19 goals and 55 assists. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is the projected starting goalie, who went 22-9-3 with a 2.52 goals against average and a .910 save percentage last season. 

Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets went 40-30-12 last year and they finished with 92 points, which was fifth in the Metro Division. Columbus was six points out of the last playoff spot and they were 21 points behind the Hurricanes in first. The Blue Jackets started the season with a 2-1 loss to the Predators and they were 3-4 through seven games. Columbus got hot towards the end of January, but cooled off in their last 11 games and missed the playoffs. The Blue Jackets scored 246 goals last year, which was 18th in the NHL, while they allowed 251 goals against, which was 16th. 

In the preseason, Columbus went 3-1-0, which was tied for third in the Metro Division. The Blue Jackets defeated the Red Wings twice and the Penguins once, but lost to the Sabres. Columbus is led by Zach Werenski, who had 22 goals and 59 assists, while Adam Fantilli added 24 goals and 35 assists. Jet Greaves is the projected starting goalie, who went 26-19-9 with a 2.60 goals against average and a .908 save percentage last year. 

Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win

• The Blue Jackets have won each of their last three home games against the Sabres.
• The Sabres have lost each of their last three season openers.
• The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last three season openers as underdogs.
• The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in three of their last four games against the Sabres at Nationwide Arena.
• The Blue Jackets have won the second period in four of their last five home games when trailing after the first period.

Why the Buffalo Sabres will win

• The Blue Jackets have lost seven of their last eight games as favorites.
• The underdogs have won each of the Sabres’ last four games.
• The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last eight games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Sabres have covered the puck line in 23 of their last 25 games as underdogs.
• The Blue Jackets have lost the third period in each of their last five games as home favorites against Atlantic Division opponents when leading after the second period.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Blue Jackets’ last four season openers have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Each of the Sabres’ last four season openers as underdogs have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in nine of the last 10 games between the Sabres and Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.

Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts

• Danton Heinen has recorded an assist in each of the Blue Jackets’ last three games.

Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts

• Zach Benson has scored a goal in four of the Sabres’ last five road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Tage Thompson has recorded at least one assist in each of the Sabres’ last five road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Tage Thompson was one of only 10 players in the league to record at least 40 Goals and 40 Assists last season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Columbus Blue Jackets suffered the equal-most losses when leading after Period 2 last season (9).
• The Columbus Blue Jackets were one of only three teams to lose 20+ games when tied or leading after Period 2 last season.
• The Buffalo Sabres were one of seven teams to rank in the top 10 for both goals scored and goals conceded per game last season.
• The Buffalo Sabres ranked T2nd in the league in short handed goals last season (11).

Sabres vs Blue Jackets Prediction 

Buffalo comes into this season after winning the Atlantic last year, but they were very shaky in the playoffs. The Sabres had a great regular season last year and they have a ton of young talent. Columbus also had a strong season last year, but just missed out on the playoffs. I think both of these teams will be exciting to watch this year, but I am going to back the Blue Jackets on home ice.

David Racey's Pick: Blue Jackets ML