Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 2/20/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Sunday, February 20, 2022

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: Bally Sports Ohio

Odds/Point Spread: Sabres (+140) Blue Jackets (-170)

Nationwide Arena is where the Columbus Blue Jackets (24-23-1) will go up against the Buffalo Sabres (16-25-8) on Sunday. The odds on this game have Buffalo at +140 while Columbus is at -170. The total comes in at 6.

The Buffalo Sabres had a rough game after their 3-1 loss to the Senators in their previous contest. Buffalo garnered 17 mins in the box in this matchup. Moreover, they had 6 power play chances and netted 1 goal. The Sabres offense left a lot to be desired in this defeat. For the matchup, they converted 1 out of the 24 shots they attempted.

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With regard to their scoring capabilities, the Buffalo Sabres have notched 130 goals (24th in hockey) for the year and have surrendered 169. For the year, they have accumulated 40 points and their points percentage sits at .408. Buffalo is sitting with 136 power play chances and they have added 27 goals out of those attempts, giving them a percentage of 19.85%. While playing at even strength, the Sabres have surrendered 137 goals while getting 103 on offense. Buffalo has taken 1,428 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 9.1%. The Sabres have had 1,696 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .900. Buffalo Sabres opponents have totaled 134 power play tries (27th in pro hockey) and have scored 32 goals in those chances.

The man in net for this game is Craig Anderson. Anderson has played in 662 games over the course of his pro hockey career. He has a mark of 297-256-69 and he was named the starter in 576 games. Opponents have scored 1,769 goals versus Anderson in his pro hockey career and his goals against rate is 2.83. Anderson has seen 20,306 shot attempts taken against him and has recorded 18,537 saves. He has a save percentage of .913 in his 37,471 mins in the crease. For his career, Anderson is sitting with 310 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .538.

Their last time out, Columbus faced off against the Blackhawks in a matchup where the Blue Jackets ended up with the win by a final of 7-4. They had 3 opportunities on the power play in this matchup and tallied 1 goal out of those chances. The Blue Jackets netted 7 goals out of the 37 shots on goal they attempted.

Columbus has attempted 1,426 shots (26th in professional hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 10.73%, while allowing the opposition 1,687 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 80.29% on their opponents 137 power play chances, and their save percentage sits at 89.6%. They have a total of 120 power play chances and they have earned a power play percentage of 17.50%. The Blue Jackets have earned 132 goals at even strength and 21 goals (28th in the NHL) while on the power play. They have allowed 176 goals to be scored by way of 149 goals at even strength and 27 goals while they were shorthanded. So far this year, the Columbus Blue Jackets have earned a total of 153 goals, 49 points, in addition to a points percentage of .510.

On the other side of the ice you will find Elvis Merzlikins between the pipes. Merzlikins has amassed a lifetime record of 39-34-14 and has played in 93 games. Merzlikins' rate of quality starts is 52.9% and he has accumulated 45 quality starting assignments in his hockey career. He has accounted for 2,525 stops out of 2,764 shots attempted, giving him a save percentage of .914. His opponents are averaging 2.84 goals per game and he has allowed 239 goals altogether. He has started in 85 games and his ice time sits at 5,048 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game ATS?

Guy's Pick: Take Columbus (-170)

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