Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 10/17/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Thursday, October 17, 2024

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: NBC4 WCMH-TV

The Buffalo Sabres (1-3-0) are on their way to Nationwide Arena on Thursday where they will try to defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets (1-2-0).

The Buffalo Sabres were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 5-2 win against the Panthers in their previous contest . Buffalo recorded 6 mins in the box for this contest. The Sabres had a solid offensive performance in the win. Additionally, they had 3 chances with extra men on the ice but didn't net one. For the game, they finished 5 out of the 27 shots they put on net.

Buffalo Sabres opponents have tallied 13 power play tries (11th in pro hockey) and have a total of 3 goals in those chances. The Sabres thus far have had 108 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .889. Buffalo has taken 109 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 7.3%. While playing at even strength, the Sabres have conceded 9 goals while scoring 8 of their own. Buffalo has 14 power play opportunities and they have notched 0 goals during those advantages, giving them a rate of 0.00%. For the season, they have recorded 2 points and their points percentage is .250. Regarding their goal scoring prowess, the Buffalo Sabres have notched 8 goals (25th in the league) for the season and have given up 12.

The man in net for this game is Devon Levi. Over the course of his pro career, Levi has accounted for 7 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is at .778. His save percentage currently sits at .908 during his 546 mins guarding the cage. Levi has seen 284 shots against him and has garnered 258 total saves. The opposition has notched 26 goals versus Levi in his pro hockey career and his average for goals against per game is 2.86. He has accumulated a win-loss mark of 6-3-0 and he has gotten the start in 9 games. Levi has taken the ice for 9 games during his professional hockey career.

In their last game, Columbus played the Avalanche in an outing where the Blue Jackets notched a win by a final of 6-4. They had 3 power play attempts in this one and scored 1 out of those attempts. The Blue Jackets recorded 6 goals out of the 23 shots on goal they took.

Columbus has taken 94 shots (23rd in pro hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 11.70%, while allowing their opponents 78 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 70.00% on the other teams 10 power play opportunities, and their save percentage is 85.9%. They have a tally of 8 power play opportunities and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 25.00%. The Blue Jackets are sitting with 9 goals at even strength and 2 goals (21st in the NHL) while having a power play advantage. They have granted a total of 11 goals to be scored by of a combination of 8 goals at even strength and 3 goals while they had less men on the ice. So far this year, the Columbus Blue Jackets have accounted for 11 goals, 2 points, in addition to a points percentage of .333.

Across the rink you are likely to see Elvis Merzlikins protecting the net. His opponents are averaging 3.14 goals/game and he has given up 435 goals overall. Merzlikins' quality start rate is 47.5% and he has earned 66 quality starts in his career. He has made the start in 139 contests and has been on the ice for 8,306 minutes. Merzlikins is the owner of a career mark of 55-64-22 and has been in net for 152 contests. He has a tally of 4,166 stops out of the 4,601 shots tried, which gives him a rate of .905.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Buffalo

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