NHL Prop Bets: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Buffalo Sabres (October 1, 2026)
The Buffalo Sabres (0-0-0) face the Columbus Blue Jackets (0-0-0) at Nationwide Arena. Let's take a look at the NHL Prop Bets for Thursday's matchup. The Blue Jackets opened as favorites, but the Sabres have since moved into favoritism at -112 to win and +230 to cover the -1.5 puck line. The Blue Jackets are -285 to cover the +1.5 puck line.
- The Sabres had a 53-42 Puck Line record last season, while the Blue Jackets held a record of 41-41.
The total goals line is set at 6.5, with OVER at +114 and UNDER at -135.
- The Sabres had a 43-46-6 O/U record last season (meaning 43 games went over the total points line, 46 went under and six resulted in a push). The Blue Jackets had a 37-43-2 O/U record last season.
Goals For Insights
- The Sabres averaged 3.45 goals per game last season (5th in the league). Comparatively, the Blue Jackets averaged only 3.00 (T18th).
- Defensively, the Sabres allowed 2.93 goals per game last season (T10th in the league), while the Blue Jackets gave up an average of 3.06 goals (T16th).
Shots
- Looking at creating chances to score, Buffalo averaged 28.1 shots per game last season (13th in the NHL). Meanwhile, Columbus allowed its opposition 28.8 shots per game (22nd).
- Flipping that script, the Sabres allowed 29.0 shots per game (23rd in the NHL), while the Blue Jackets averaged 29.4 shots (6th).
Power Play
- Buffalo held a power play percentage of 19.5% last season, ranking 21st in the league, while Columbus sat 22nd with 18.9% of its power play opportunities converted.
Penalty Kill %
- On the opposite end, the Sabres had a penalty kill rate of 81.9% (ranked 4th), easily outperforming the Blue Jackets, who sat at 76.0% (28th).
P1 Result
Buffalo is +185 to win the first period, while Columbus is +170.
- Here are their first period records in 2025/26.
| Total | Home | Road | Last 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | 33-31-31 | 20-15-13 | 13-16-18 | |
| Columbus | 34-21-27 | 23-6-12 | 11-15-15 |
To Go To Overtime
Thursday's matchup is +265 to go to overtime.
- The Sabres played in 19 games that went to overtime last season, while the Blue Jackets appeared in 24.
To Go To a Shootout
- The Sabres played in 6 games that went to a shootout last season, while the Blue Jackets appeared in 10.
Last Time They Met
Buffalo recorded a 5-0 beatdown over Columbus at KeyBank Center when these teams last met on April 9, 2026. That result snapped the Blue Jackets' three-game winning streak against the Sabres.
