Two Eastern Conference squads hit the ice when the eighth-place Buffalo Sabres (21-14-4) visit the 16th-place Columbus Blue Jackets (17-16-6) at Nationwide Arena on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET.
Columbus’ last game was a 3-2 home loss to the New Jersey Devils on Dec. 31.
Buffalo won its last game 4-1 on the road over the Dallas Stars on Dec. 31.
As hockey play continues, prepare for the contest with what you need to know ahead of Saturday’s game.
Watch Blue Jackets vs. Sabres on Fubo! (Regional restrictions may apply)
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Buffalo Sabres odds and betting lines
NHL odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Friday at 5:51 p.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.
Favorite: Blue Jackets (-110)Underdog: Sabres (-110)Over/under: 6.5Blue Jackets vs. Sabres game info and start timeDate: Saturday, January 3, 2026Time: 3 p.m. ETTV channel: ESPN+Live stream: Watch on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)Live stream: Watch on ESPN+
Watch Blue Jackets vs. Sabres on Fubo! (Regional restrictions may apply)
Blue Jackets stats and trendsColumbus has won nine of its 11 games as a favorite this season.In 12 games with moneyline odds shorter than -110 this season, the Blue Jackets have won nine times.Columbus has a 52.4% chance of winning this game, based on the moneyline odds.Columbus’ games this season have gone over 6.5 goals 18 of 39 times.In their last 10 matchups, the Blue Jackets have gone 4-6-0 to earn 70.0% of the possible points.They have totaled 28 goals over that stretch.Defensively, the Blue Jackets have given up 28 goals (2.8 per game) in those 10 matchups.Sabres stats and trendsThe Sabres have secured an upset victory in 11, or 50.0%, of the 22 games they have played while the underdog this season.Buffalo has gone 11-12 when sportsbooks have listed them as underdogs of -110 or longer on the moneyline.The moneyline implies a 52.4% chance of victory for the Sabres.So far this season, 41.0% of Buffalo’s games (16/39) have had more goals than Saturday’s over/under of 6.5.In the past 10 games, the Sabres have earned 100.0% of the possible points with a 10-0-0 record.They are scoring at a 3.5 goals-per-game average (35 total) over that span.Defensively, the Sabres have given up 18 goals (1.8 per game) in those 10 outings.