Photo: Steph Chambers / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
The Columbus Blue Jackets and Buffalo Sabres meet for the season opener at Nationwide Arena on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
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As the puck drops for the beginning of the NHL season, here's who we predict will secure the win in Thursday's action.
Sabres vs. Blue Jackets Predictions for Thursday
Our computer projection model for this encounter predicts a final result of Sabres 4, Blue Jackets 3.
- Moneyline Pick: Sabres (-109)
- Total Pick: Over 6 (computer predicts 6.3 goals on average)
- Spread Pick: Blue Jackets (+1.5)
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Blue Jackets Splits and Trends
- The Blue Jackets had a 40-30-12 record overall, with a 12-12-24 record in contests that required overtime, last season.
- Columbus picked up 32 points (11-13-10) in the 34 games it played that were decided by one goal.
- In the 17 games last season the Blue Jackets scored only one goal, they went 3-11-3 (nine points).
- Columbus lost all 11 games last season when it scored exactly two goals.
- The Blue Jackets scored at least three goals 50 times, and went 37-4-9 in those games (to record 83 points).
- In the 23 games when Columbus recorded a lone power-play goal, it picked up 35 points by finishing 15-3-5.
- In games when it outshot its opponent, Columbus was 24-16-7 (55 points).
- The Blue Jackets' opponent had more shots in 33 games last season. The Blue Jackets finished 15-13-5 in those matchups (35 points).
Sabres Splits and Trends
- The Sabres had a 8-11-19 record in overtime contests last season, and a 50-23-9 overall record.
- In the 25 games Buffalo played that were decided by one goal, it picked up 34 points.
- Last season the Sabres registered just one goal in 10 games, and they picked up two points (0-8-2).
- Buffalo picked up 13 points (6-11-1 record) last season when scoring a pair of goals .
- The Sabres picked up 110 points in their 64 games when they scored three or more goals.
- Last season Buffalo recorded a lone power-play goal in 29 games, posting a record of 18-6-5.
- When outshooting its opponent last season, Buffalo was 25-14-3 (53 points).
- The Sabres were outshot by their opponents 52 times last season, and took 70 points from those games.
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Team Stats Comparison (2025-26)
| Blue Jackets Rank | Blue Jackets AVG | Sabres AVG | Sabres Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18th | 3.00 | Goals Scored | 3.45 | 5th |
| 16th | 3.06 | Goals Allowed | 2.93 | 10th |
| 6th | 29.2 | Shots | 28.1 | 11th |
| 21st | 28.6 | Shots Allowed | 28.9 | 23rd |
| 21st | 19.00% | Power Play % | 19.51% | 20th |
| 28th | 76.23% | Penalty Kill % | 81.90% | 4th |
Sabres vs. Blue Jackets Game Time and TV Channel
- When: Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
- Where: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio
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