Columbus Blue Jackets vs Buffalo Sabres NHL Betting Prediction

NHL Blue Jackets vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction 2/4/2025

The Columbus Blue Jackets (26-20-7) travel to face off against the Buffalo Sabres (21-26-5) on Tuesday, February 4th. This game will be played at KeyBank Center in Buffalo and televised on ESPN+. Both the Blue Jackets and Sabres will be looking to bounce back from losses in their previous games. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 ET.

Blue Jackets vs Sabres

columbus blue jackets nhl

The Columbus Blue Jackets Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

After a 7-2 loss to the Capitals, the Blue Jackets are now 26-20-7. Columbus entered as underdogs on the puck line, with the total set at 6.5 goals. The combined 9 goals easily surpassed that mark.

Columbus gave up five goals in the first period, with Washington scoring just 56 seconds into the game. The Blue Jackets got on the board at 19:11 in the second period, when Damon Severson scored to make it 5-1.

The Buffalo Sabres Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

With a 2-1 loss to the Red Wings, the Sabres fell to 21-26-5 on the season. Buffalo took an early lead with a short-handed goal by Alex Tuch, but Detroit responded with two power-play goals in the second period.

The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, but the teams combined for just 3. As underdogs on the puck line, the Sabres failed to cover. All of Buffalo’s goals this season have come from different players.

Columbus Offense Breakdown

Columbus fired 36 shots on goal but only found the net twice in their 7-2 loss to Washington. Damon Severson opened the scoring for the Blue Jackets, netting his 4th goal of the season, while Kevin Labanc added his 2nd goal.

The Blue Jackets were held scoreless in the first period before Severson’s goal, which came 49 seconds into the second period. Labanc followed with a goal at the 5:24 mark of the second period. Columbus recorded 13 giveaways in the game.

Sabres Offense Breakdown

buffalo sabres

Buffalo’s offense fired 32 shots on goal but only managed to score once in their 2-1 loss to Detroit. Alex Tuch netted his 5th goal of the season, scoring on a shorthanded opportunity at 8:21 in the first period.

The Sabres had 13 giveaways and didn’t record any assists. Tuch took 5 shots on goal, while the team was held scoreless in the second and third periods.

Columbus Team Defense

Defensively, the Blue Jackets will need to regroup after allowing the first goal just 56 seconds into the game and five goals in the first period. They also gave up a late goal at the 18:34 mark of the 3rd period, making the final score 7-2. Daniil Tarasov made 15 saves but finished with a 68.2% save percentage. Columbus’ defense did contribute 10 takeaways and 17 hits.

Buffalo Team Defense

Despite leading 1-0 after the first period, the Sabres’ defense gave up two goals in the second, both on the power play. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage, and the Sabres’ defense added 5 takeaways and 17 hits.

Blue Jackets vs Sabres Trends

  • Columbus has played well in their previous 5 road games, going 3-2 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 3 goals per game while allowing 3. The team also performed well vs the puck line at 3-2.
  • The Sabres are 4-1 puck line in their last home games and 4-1 straight-up.
  • Buffalo has done well both straight up and vs the puck line when favored to win the game, going 3-2 SU and 3-2 puck line in their last five games.
  • In their last five contests as the favorite, Columbus has a poor record vs the puck line going 2-3. But, they still put together a straight up mark of 3-2.

Blue Jackets vs Sabres Prediction

When it comes to a moneyline wager, I’m going with the Sabres to defeat the Blue Jackets while playing at home. Given the current moneyline odds at -170, I’m placing a wager on the Sabres to win outright.

When it comes to my suggested pick for the puck line, I’d advise taking the Blue Jackets to cover. Even in the event of a Sabres victory, this matchup is likely to remain closely contested, and the Blue Jackets should cover the puck line.

With an over/under line sitting at 6.5 goals, we like this game to surpass that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the over.


All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!


* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.