Columbus Blue Jackets vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 12/19/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+150) Sabres (-182)

KeyBank Center is where the Buffalo Sabres (13-16-3) will attempt to defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets (10-17-5) on Tuesday. The line on this matchup has the Blue Jackets at +150 while the Sabres are sitting at -182. The total is 7.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were on the wrong end of the scoreboard with a 6-3 loss to the Devils in their previous contest . Columbus tallied 6 penalty mins in this matchup. The Blue Jackets were neither impressive or disappointing offensively in the loss. In addition, they had 4 power play opportunities and scored 1 goal. For the game, they earned a goal on 3 out of the 26 shots they tried.

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Concerning scoring goals, the Columbus Blue Jackets have earned 96 goals (14th in pro hockey) so far this season and have surrendered 116. For the current campaign, they have scored 25 points and their points percentage sits at .391. Columbus comes into tonight with 91 power play chances and they have tallied 14 goals out of those chances, garnering them a percentage of 15.38%. While at even strength, the Blue Jackets have conceded 102 goals while notching 82 themselves. Columbus has attempted 945 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 10.2%. The Blue Jackets have seen 1,105 shots tried against them and have earned a save percentage of .895. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have recorded 89 power play tries (28th in pro hockey) and have racked up 14 goals in those attempts.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Spencer Martin. Martin has participated in 49 contests over the course of his hockey career. He has amassed an overall mark of 16-24-6 and he started in 45 games. Opponents have notched 167 goals against Martin in his pro hockey career and his average for goals against per game is 3.62. Martin has seen 1,477 shots taken against him and has recorded 1,310 saves. He has a save percentage of .887 during his 2,771 mins in the crease. Over the course of his career, Martin has accrued 17 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .378.

Their last time out, Buffalo faced the Coyotes in an outing where the Sabres ended up losing by a mark of 2-0. The Sabres earned 0 goals of the 28 shots on goal they tried. They had 1 power play attempt in this one but didn't put one in the back of the net.

Buffalo has taken 964 shots (9th in pro hockey) and has a shot percentage of 9.34%, while allowing the other team 949 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 81.19% on the other teams 101 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently comes in at 89.0%. They have earned 90 power play opportunities and they have accumulated a power play rate of 13.33%. The Sabres are sitting with 78 goals at even strength and 12 goals (26th in pro hockey) while on the power play. They have allowed 104 goals to be scored by way of 85 goals at even strength and 19 goals while they were shorthanded. On the year, the Buffalo Sabres have earned 90 goals, 29 points, and a points percentage of .453.

For the opposition you will find Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen defending the net. Opponents are averaging 3.34 goals per game and he has relinquished 192 goals altogether. Luukkonen's quality start rate is 46.6% and he has 27 quality starts in his career. He has been a starter 58 contests and his ice time sits at 3,451 minutes. Luukkonen has a lifetime record of 26-26-7 and has been in goal for 61 games. He is sitting with 1,694 saves out of the 1,886 shots tried, giving him a save percentage of .898.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Buffalo (-182)

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