Blue Jackets vs. Sabres Prediction, Odds, Picks - Jan. 3

Updated Jan. 3, 2026 12:14 p.m. ET

Data Skrive

At 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 3, Zachary Werenski and Tage Thompson will go head-to-head in a matchup between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Buffalo Sabres at Nationwide Arena. Check out everything you need to know about the Blue Jackets-Sabres game, from the puck lined, moneyline, total Over/Under and expert picks, as well as TV channel and streaming information.

Blue Jackets vs. Sabres Game Information and TV Channel

When: Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 3 p.m. ET
Where: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio
TV: ESPN+
Live Boxscore: FOX Sports

Blue Jackets vs Sabres Betting Information
Favorite	Puck Line	Favorite Puck Line Odds	Underdog Puck Line Odds	Total	Over Total Odds	Under Total Odds	Favorite Moneyline	Underdog Moneyline
Blue Jackets	-1.5	-265	215	6.5	-108	-112	-110	-110

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Blue Jackets vs. Sabres Prediction

ATS Pick: Sabres (+ 1.5)
O/U Pick: Over (6.5)
Score Prediction: Blue Jackets 4 - Sabres 3

Blue Jackets vs. Sabres Betting Insights

Columbus and its opponent have gone over 6.5 combined goals in 18 of 39 games this season.
Buffalo has played 16 games this season that ended with over 6.5 goals.
These two teams are scoring six goals per game between them, 0.5 fewer than this game's over/under.
These teams give up a combined 6.4 goals per game, 0.1 fewer than this game'souting's over/under.
The Sabres are 18th in the league in goals scored, compared to the 20th-ranked Blue Jackets.
The Blue Jackets are 22nd in the league in goals conceded, and the Sabres are 16th.

Blue Jackets Stats

The Blue Jackets' 114 total goals (2.9 per game) make them the 20th-ranked scoring team in the league.
Defensively, Columbus has given up 130 total goals (3.3 per game) to rank 22nd in NHL play.
They have the league's 27th-ranked goal differential at -16.
The 19 power-play goals Columbus has put up this season rank 26th in the NHL (on 102 chances).
The Blue Jackets' 18.63% power-play conversion rate ranks 19th in the league.
Columbus has recorded two shorthanded goals this season (19th among all NHL teams).

Blue Jackets Leaders

Name	Games	Goals	Assists	Points	Giveaways	Takeaways	Faceoff Win %
Zachary Werenski	35	14	26	40	61	20	-
Kirill Marchenko	35	14	17	31	50	21	33.3%
Adam Fantilli	39	12	13	25	42	15	50.9%
Charlie Coyle	39	6	19	25	25	17	50.3%
Dmitri Voronkov	39	13	12	25	32	6	19%

Blue Jackets Player Props

Sabres Stats

The Sabres' 121 goals on the season (3.1 per game) rank them 18th in the league.
Buffalo's total of 121 goals allowed (3.1 per game) ranks 16th in the league.
Their 0 goal differential is 14th in the league.
Buffalo has 22 power-play goals (on 117 chances), 17th in the NHL.
The Sabres score on 18.8% of their power plays, No. 18 in the league.
In terms of shorthanded goals, Buffalo has three.