The Buffalo Sabres (21-14-4) take a seven-game road winning streak into a matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets (17-16-6) on Saturday, Jan. 3 at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
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Before watching this matchup, here's our prediction for which team will secure the win in Saturday's hockey action.
The Sabres' offense has put up 35 goals in their past 10 outings, while their defense has given up 18 goals. They have recorded 28 power-play opportunities during that span, and have scored five goals (17.9%). They are 10-0-0 over those contests.
Blue Jackets vs. Sabres Predictions for Saturday
Our computer projections model for this matchup predicts a final result of Blue Jackets 4, Sabres 3.
- Moneyline Pick: Blue Jackets (-110)
- Total Pick: No Pick - Predicted Margin Negligible
- Spread Pick: Sabres (+1.5)
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Blue Jackets Splits and Trends
- The Blue Jackets have a 17-16-6 record overall, with a 7-6-13 record in games that have needed overtime.
- Columbus is 6-7-5 (17 points) in its 18 games decided by one goal.
- Looking at the nine times this season the Blue Jackets ended a game with just one goal, they have a 1-6-2 record, good for four points.
- Columbus has lost all six games this season when it scored a pair of goals.
- The Blue Jackets are 16-3-4 in the 23 games when they have scored more than two goals (to record 36 points).
- In the 12 games when Columbus has recorded a lone power-play goal, it has a 6-3-3 record (15 points).
- In the 21 games this season in which it has outshot its opponent, Columbus is 9-9-3 (21 points).
- The Blue Jackets have been outshot by opponents 18 times, and went 8-7-3 (19 points).
Sabres Splits and Trends
- The Sabres have a 6-4-10 record in overtime contests this season and a 21-14-4 overall record.
- Buffalo has earned 12 points (4-0-4) in its eight games decided by one goal.
- This season the Sabres scored only one goal in four games and they finished 0-3-1 in those matchups.
- Buffalo has four points (2-5-0) when scoring a pair of goals this season.
- The Sabres have scored at least three goals 25 times, earning 41 points from those matchups (19-3-3).
- This season, Buffalo has recorded a single power-play goal in 13 games and picked up 18 points with a record of 8-3-2.
- When it outshoots its opponent this season, Buffalo has posted a record of 8-7-2 (18 points).
- The Sabres' opponents have had more shots in 22 games. The Sabres went 13-7-2 in those contests (28 points).
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Team Stats Comparison
| Blue Jackets Rank | Blue Jackets AVG | Sabres AVG | Sabres Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20th | 2.92 | Goals Scored | 3.1 | 15th |
| 26th | 3.33 | Goals Allowed | 3.1 | 16th |
| 4th | 29.9 | Shots | 28.6 | 12th |
| 30th | 30.5 | Shots Allowed | 29 | 24th |
| 19th | 18.63% | Power Play % | 18.8% | 18th |
| 30th | 75% | Penalty Kill % | 85.05% | 2nd |
Blue Jackets vs. Sabres Game Time and TV Channel
- When: Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 3 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
- Where: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio
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