Blue Jackets vs. Sabres Prediction & Picks - April 9

The Buffalo Sabres (48-23-8), winners of three straight home games, host the Columbus Blue Jackets (39-27-12) at KeyBank Center on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

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Get ready for this matchup with a look at who we project to come out on top in Thursday's contest.

The Blue Jackets' offense has put up 21 goals in their last 10 games, while their defense has allowed 27 goals. They have registered 20 power-play opportunities during that time, and have scored two goals (10.0%). They are 3-6-1 over those games.

Blue Jackets vs. Sabres Predictions for Thursday

Our computer projections model for this contest calls for a final score of Sabres 4, Blue Jackets 3.

• Moneyline Pick: Sabres (-110)
• Total Pick: Over 6 (computer predicts 6.5 goals on average)
• Spread Pick: Blue Jackets (+1.5)

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Sabres Splits and Trends

• The Sabres are 48-23-8 overall and 8-8-16 in overtime games.
• In the 21 games Buffalo has played that were decided by one goal, it has a 10-3-8 record (good for 28 points).
• In the eight games this season the Sabres scored only one goal, they finished 0-7-1.
• Buffalo has taken 12 points from the 15 games this season when it scored a pair of goals (6-9-0 record).
• The Sabres have scored three or more goals in 53 games (42-4-7, 91 points).
• In the 27 games when Buffalo has capitalized on a lone power-play goal, it has an 18-5-4 record (40 points).
• In the 33 games when it outshot its opponent, Buffalo is 20-11-2 (42 points).
• The Sabres have been outshot by opponents in 46 games, going 28-12-6 to record 62 points.

Blue Jackets Splits and Trends

• The Blue Jackets have earned a record of 12-12-24 in overtime matchups on their way to an overall mark of 39-27-12.
• Columbus has earned 32 points (11-11-10) in its 32 games that finished with a one-goal margin.
• In 16 games this season when the Blue Jackets finished a game with just one goal, they earned a total of nine points (3-10-3).
• Columbus failed to win all 10 games this season when it scored exactly two goals.
• The Blue Jackets have scored at least three goals 49 times, earning 81 points from those matchups (36-4-9).
• This season, Columbus has recorded a lone power-play goal in 22 games and registered 33 points with a record of 14-3-5.
• When outshooting its opponent this season, Columbus is 23-13-7 (53 points).
• The Blue Jackets have been outshot by opponents 33 times this season, and earned 35 points in those games.

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Team Stats Comparison

Blue Jackets vs. Sabres Game Time and TV Channel

• When: Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET
• TV Channel: ESPN+
• Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
• Where: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York

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