Columbus Blue Jackets vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 12/30/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Saturday, December 30, 2023

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+175) Sabres (-215)

The Buffalo Sabres (14-18-4) are welcoming the Columbus Blue Jackets (11-18-7) at KeyBank Center on Saturday. The line on this contest has the Blue Jackets at +175 while the Sabres open at -215. The betting total comes in at 7.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will be looking to get a win in their next outing after their 4-3 loss against the Devils in the last game they played. Columbus tallied 6 penalty minutes in this contest. The Blue Jackets had a middle of the road showing in this loss. They also had 3 attempts on the power play but weren't able to score. For the game, they netted 3 out of the 29 shots they attempted.

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At even strength, the Blue Jackets have allowed the opponent to score 113 goals while having 96 themselves. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have amassed 100 power play opportunities (29th in the NHL) and have come away with 18 goals in those chances. In the matter of their goal scoring prowess, the Columbus Blue Jackets have accumulated 111 goals (13th in the National Hockey League) this year and have given up 131. Columbus has taken 1,072 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 10.4%. For the season, they have 29 points and their points percentage is sitting at .403. The Blue Jackets have had 1,231 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .894. Columbus is sitting with 101 power play opportunities and they have added 15 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a percentage of 14.85%.

The man protecting the net in this game is Elvis Merzlikins. Opponents have been able to score 495 goals against Merzlikins in his pro career and his goals against average per contest is 3.14. Merzlikins has taken the ice for 172 contests during his hockey career. His save percentage is at .906 during his 9,448 mins in the crease. He has earned a mark of 62-70-28 and was named the starter in 159 games. For his career, Merzlikins has accumulated 77 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .484. Merzlikins has seen 5,277 shot attempts taken against him and he has 4,782 total saves.

In their last contest, Buffalo faced the Bruins in a game where the Sabres took a loss by a final of 4-1. They had 6 power play opportunities in this matchup but weren't able to put one in the back of the net. The Sabres netted 1 goal out of the 26 shots on goal they tried.

So far this year, the Buffalo Sabres have earned a total of 107 goals, 32 points, and a points percentage of .444. They have allowed 124 goals to be scored by way of 99 goals at even strength and 25 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Sabres have earned 93 goals at even strength and 14 goals (28th in the league) while on the power play. They have a total of 105 power play chances and they have earned a power play rate of 13.33%. Buffalo has attempted 1,083 shots (11th in the NHL) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 9.88%, while allowing their opponents 1,068 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 78.26% on their opponents 115 power play tries, and their save percentage sits at 88.4%.

Across the ice you will find Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen between the pipes. Luukkonen holds a lifetime record of 26-27-8 and has been in net for 63 games. Luukkonen's percentage of quality starts sits at 45.8% and he has accumulated 27 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. He has tallied 1,734 stops out of the 1,935 shots taken against him, which gives him a rate of .896. His opposition is averaging 3.40 goals per contest and he has allowed 201 goals altogether. He was named a starter in 59 games and has played 3,545 minutes.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Columbus (+175)

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