NHL Prop Bets: Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets (April 9, 2026)
The Columbus Blue Jackets (39-27-12) face the Buffalo Sabres (48-23-8) at KeyBank Center. Let's take a look at the NHL Prop Bets for Thursday's matchup. The Sabres are favored to win at -130. They're currently +200 to cover the -1.5 puck line while the Blue Jackets are -245 to cover the +1.5 puck line.
- The Blue Jackets have a 40-38 Puck Line record this season, while the Sabres hold a record of 44-35.
The total goals line is set at 6.5, with OVER at +105 and UNDER at -125.
- The Blue Jackets have a 36-40-2 O/U record this season (meaning 36 games have gone over the total points line, 40 have gone under and two have resulted in a push). The Sabres have a 37-39-3 O/U record.
Goals For Insights
- The Blue Jackets are averaging 3.05 goals per game this season (17th in the league). Comparatively, the Sabres are averaging +0.4 more at 3.42 goals (7th).
- Defensively, the Blue Jackets are giving up 3.06 goals per game this season (T17th in the league), while the Sabres are giving up an average of 2.99 goals (12th).
Shots
- Looking at creating chances to score, Columbus is averaging 29.2 shots per game this season (7th in the NHL). Meanwhile, Buffalo is allowing its opposition 29.1 shots per game (22nd).
- Flipping that script, the Blue Jackets are allowing 29.2 shots per game (23rd in the NHL), while the Sabres are averaging 28.3 shots (13th).
Power Play
- Columbus holds a power play percentage of 19.6%, ranking 20th in the league this season, while Buffalo sits 18th with 20.1% of its power play opportunities converted.
Penalty Kill %
- On the opposite end, the Blue Jackets have a penalty kill rate of just 75.9% (ranked 28th), compared to the Sabres at 81.4% (9th).
P1 Result
Columbus is +180 to win the first period, while Buffalo is +170.
- Here are their first period records in 2025/26.
| Total | Home | Road | Last 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 33-20-25 | 23-6-10 | 10-14-15 | 3-4-3 |
| Buffalo | 27-26-26 | 16-12-11 | 11-14-15 | 3-4-3 |
To Go To Overtime
Thursday's matchup is +280 to go to overtime.
- The Blue Jackets have played in 24 games that have gone to overtime this season, while the Sabres have appeared in 16.
To Go To a Shootout
- The Blue Jackets have played in 10 games that have gone to a shootout this season, while the Sabres have appeared in 5.
Last Time They Met
Columbus recorded a 5-1 beatdown over Buffalo at Nationwide Arena when these teams last met on January 3. The Blue Jackets have now won three straight against the Sabres.
