Buffalo Sabres vs. Columbus Blue Jackets December 7 Betting Preview

So, about last night… 

We had high hopes for our Columbus Blue Jackets and made a wild prediction. We were very wrong, as the Blue Jackets lost 4-1 to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Regardless of the outcome of last night, and all jokes aside, it's time to get up, dust ourselves off, and move on from a bad loss because it’s another Columbus Blue Jackets game day, this time back in beautiful Columbus, Ohio. 

The first of three head-to-head matchups with the Buffalo Sabres is up next for CBJ, with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview

After the loss to the Penguins, the Blue Jackets now have an 8-14-2 record. CBJ have lost four of their last five games, with three games ending with at least a 1.5 goal spread, while only one game landed on six total goals scored. None of the Blue Jackets' last five games have hit the over.

The Blue Jackets are now averaging 2.58 goals per game on 30.1 shots while giving up 3.92 goals on 36.2 shots per game. 

Johnny Gaudreau is the offensive heartbeat of the Columbus Blue Jackets, scoring the team's lone goal against Pittsburgh and leading the team in scoring with points (nine goals, eighteen assists).

We did get one thing right in our Blue Jackets vs. Penguins prediction: Elvis Merzlikins did return to the lineup and start for CBJ. Merlikins made thirty saves in a losing effort in his return to the net.

We’re not sure if Merzlikins will start on back-to-back nights after just returning from injury or if Joonas Korpisalo will be back in the net. However, we expect Korpisalo to get the start against the Sabres, while Merzlikins will get back in the net against the Calgary Flames on Friday night. 

If Korpisalo does get the start, he has a 4-5-1 record, a 3.51 goals-against average, and a .905 save percentage. 

Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview

The Buffalo Sabres arrive in Ohio with an 11-13-1 record. The Sabres have lost three of their last five games, with four hitting the over of 6.5 and three ending in at least a 1.5-goal spread.

Tage Thompson is a potential prop bet target and an enormous mountain of fun to watch play hockey. Thompson is an emerging superstar for the Sabres and leads the team with thirty-four points (sixteen goals, eighteen assists).

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has started the last two games and five of the last seven for the Sabres since being recalled from Rochester in the AHL. We’re not sure who the Sabres will start tonight, but we lean toward veteran Craig Anderson getting the start, with both goalies likely to play against those dastardly Pittsburgh Penguins on back-to-back nights this weekend. 

If Anderson gets the start, he has a 5-4-0 record, a 2.87 goals-against average, and a .916 save percentage. If Luukkonen gets another start, he has a 2-2-1 record, a 3.98 goals-against average, and a .863 save percentage.

Betting Odds and Prediction

The Blue Jackets are listed at (+130) on the moneyline, while the Sabres are listed as the moneyline favorite at (-157) odds. 

Our first betting prediction is to take the Buffalo Sabres on the moneyline. The Sabres are the better hockey team right now and have been the better team throughout the season. Buffalo should win this game straight-up on the moneyline. 

Our second pick is to take the over. Both teams hit the often, and we expect CBJ to score more than one goal against the Sabres. Sorry, but this is our only favorable CBJ pick in our prediction.

Our final pick is to take the Sabres to cover the spread. We do not like the Blue Jackets against the spread as they haven’t covered the spread enough recently or throughout the season for us to put our money for CBJ to cover. Take the Sabres -1.5 on the spread.

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