Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 4/14/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Friday, April 14, 2023

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: ESPN+

The Buffalo Sabres (40-33-7) are headed to Nationwide Arena on Friday where they will go up against the Columbus Blue Jackets (24-47-9).

The Buffalo Sabres will look to clean up some issues after taking a 6-2 loss against the Devils their last time on the ice. Buffalo accumulated 4 penalty mins in this game. The Sabres had a rough night on the offensive side of the ice in the loss. They also had 2 opportunities with more players on the ice but didn't convert them into a score. In the game, they netted 2 of the 38 shots they tried.

When talking about their scoring capabilities, the Buffalo Sabres have tallied 284 goals (6th in pro hockey) on the year and have given up 292. For the season, they have earned 87 points and their points percentage comes in at .544. Buffalo comes into the game with 264 power play chances and they have tallied 62 goals during those advantages, earning them a rate of 23.48%. When at even strength, the Sabres have given up 232 goals while having 222 on the offensive side of the ice. Buffalo has attempted 2,594 shots and holds a shot percentage of 11.0%. The Sabres so far have had 2,646 shots attempted against them and have earned a save percentage of .890. Buffalo Sabres opponents have tallied 222 power play tries (29th in professional hockey) and have racked up 60 goals in those chances.

The player in the crease for this game is Eric Comrie. The opposition has notched 145 goals against Comrie in his NHL career and his goals against average per contest is 3.32. Comrie has played in 47 games throughout his pro hockey career. His save percentage currently is at .897 for his 2,622 mins on the ice. He has an overall record of 22-19-2 and he started in 43 games. Throughout his time in hockey, Comrie has accrued 20 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .465. Comrie has seen 1,404 shot attempts against him and has gathered 1,259 saves.

The last time they were on the ice, Columbus faced the Flyers in a game where the Blue Jackets were on the wrong end of the score by a tally of 4-3. They had 3 opportunities on the power play in this one and scored 1 out of those tries. The Blue Jackets converted 3 goals out of the 31 shots on goal they pursued.

Columbus has put up 2,334 shots (26th in hockey) and has a shot percentage of 8.91%, while allowing the other team 2,833 shots. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 75.64% on their opponents 234 chances on the power play, and their save percentage is 88.6%. They have earned 219 opportunities on the power play and they have earned a power play percentage of 18.26%. The Blue Jackets have racked up 168 goals at even strength and 40 goals (27th in pro hockey) while on the power play. They have allowed 322 goals to be scored by of a combination of 265 goals at even strength and 57 goals while they had less men on the ice. On the campaign, the Columbus Blue Jackets have 208 goals, 57 points, as well as a points percentage of .356.

On the other side of the ice you are likely to see Michael Hutchinson patrolling the crease. He has recorded 3,575 stops out of the 3,963 shots attempted, which gives him a save % of .902. Hutchinson is sitting with a career mark of 56-61-18 and has participated in 151 games. He has been a starter 125 contests and has accumulated 7,933 mins. Hutchinson's quality start rate is 42.4% and he has qualified for 53 quality starting assignments in his pro hockey career. The opposition is averaging 2.93 goals/game and he has relinquished 388 goals in total.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Buffalo

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