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Sabres vs Blue Prediction, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds and Picks
Season Finale for Both Teams
Are Sabres Worth Price as Favorite?
Neither the Buffalo Sabres nor the Columbus Blue Jackets are playoff bound, making this the final game of the season for them. Buffalo has won eight out of its last 11 games, though, and has some momentum after just barely missing the postseason.
The Sabres also just earned a 4-3 overtime win at home against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, so they are clearly still motivated.
Meanwhile, the Columbus Blue Jackets broke a four-game losing skid by knocking off the recently eliminated Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2. In case you missed the NHL news, they cashed as a massive underdog. They’re again a dog but can they deliver another winning result?
Sabres Coming Off Emotional Night
Buffalo is fresh off that close overtime win in what was the final game of Craig Anderson’s career. The 41-year-old goalie said that he wouldn’t be suiting up for the season finale, making Thursday night his final game.
The 30-save performance allows him to end on a positive note after pulling together a 319–275-71 record throughout his career. The emotions were certainly high and those who bet online have to evaluate if the Sabres might experience a letdown here.
Buffalo was eliminated from playoff contention earlier this week but has been red hot lately. The Sabres won four out of their last five and are trying to build a foundation for next season.
If you’re looking at the over-under NHL betting lines here, note that they have scored at least three goals in each of the last four wins.
If they’re motivated here, they should find it easy to score on a Blue Jackets team that’s allowed 325 goals (second-most in the NHL).
Blue Jackets Upbeat After Upset Win
The Blue Jackets were tied for the worst record in the league coming into Thursday’s game against the Penguins. They were a +210 dog on the NHL odds and cashed.
The win takes Columbus ahead of both the Anaheim Ducks and the Chicago Blackhawks and helps them feel good coming into the final game. However, it does impact their chances for a better draft pick.
The Blue Jackets were definitely going with a younger lineup against Pittsburgh. Coach Brad Larsen said after the game: “It was a different feel for sure. Look at the lineup we had. We had a lot of kids in there, and they provided us with some energy.”
Maybe the youth will give this team a shot in the arm for a second straight game.
Sabres vs Blue Jackets Head-to-Head
The Sabres and Blue Jackets have split their season series. Buffalo won 9-4 in the first matchup before losing 5-3 in the second. Each game had high-scoring totals.
Sabres vs Blue Jackets Game Information
- Game: Sabres (41-33-7) Blue Jackets (25-47-9)
- Location: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
- Day/Time: Friday, April 14, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Sabres vs Blue Live stream: NHL.TV
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Sabres vs Blue Jackets Betting Lines
Sabres vs Blue JacketsPicks and Prediction
If we’re taking a look at how these two teams have performed throughout the season and as of late, all signs should point toward the Sabres winning here.
Neither team has much to play for but Buffalo has been excellent lately and has taken down a few playoff teams during this stretch. That’s why the Sabres are favored in the sportsbook.
However, the over also makes a lot of sense for NHL picks here. The Blue Jackets give up tons of goals, but they’ve scored nine goals in the two meetings with Buffalo. We should see lots of goals in another back-and-forth affair between these two teams.
Buffalo is listed at -170 in our Vegas lines. So, if you wager $100 on the Sabres, there’s a chance to win $59. Columbus is +145 with a chance to win $145 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives the Blue Jackets a 40.82% chance to win, with the Sabres at 62.96%
