Photo: Steph Chambers / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
The Buffalo Sabres and Columbus Blue Jackets meet at Nationwide Arena in the first game of the season on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
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As the puck drops for the start of the NHL season, here is who we project to secure the win in Thursday's action.
Sabres vs. Blue Jackets Predictions for Thursday
Our computer projection model for this matchup calls for a final score of Sabres 4, Blue Jackets 3.
- Moneyline Pick: Sabres (-114)
- Total Pick: Over 6 (computer predicts 6.3 goals on average)
- Spread Pick: Blue Jackets (+1.5)
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Sabres Splits and Trends
- The Sabres went 8-11-19 in overtime contests last season as part of an overall record of 50-23-9.
- Buffalo picked up 34 points (12-3-10) in the 25 games it played that were decided by one goal.
- In the 10 games last season the Sabres scored only one goal, they finished 0-8-2 (two points).
- Buffalo finished 6-11-1 in the 18 games last season when it scored exactly two goals (registering 13 points).
- The Sabres scored more than two goals in 64 games (51-5-8, 110 points).
- In the 29 games when Buffalo scored a single power-play goal, it registered 41 points by finishing 18-6-5.
- In the 42 games when it outshot its opponent, Buffalo was 25-14-3 (53 points).
- The Sabres were outshot by their opponent in 52 games, going 31-13-8 to register 70 points.
Blue Jackets Splits and Trends
- The Blue Jackets had a 40-30-12 record last season, and were 12-12-24 in contests that went to overtime.
- Columbus accumulated 32 points (11-13-10) in its 34 games that finished with a one-goal margin.
- Last season the Blue Jackets recorded only one goal in 17 games, and went 3-11-3 (nine points).
- Columbus failed to win all 11 games last season when it scored two goals.
- The Blue Jackets scored at least three goals in 50 games, earning 83 points from those contests.
- Columbus scored a lone power-play goal in 23 games last season and picked up 35 points.
- When outshooting its opponent last season, Columbus was 24-16-7 (55 points).
- The Blue Jackets were outshot by their opponents 33 times last season, and took 35 points from those games.
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Team Stats Comparison (2025-26)
| Sabres Rank | Sabres AVG | Blue Jackets AVG | Blue Jackets Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5th | 3.45 | Goals Scored | 3.00 | 18th |
| 10th | 2.93 | Goals Allowed | 3.06 | 16th |
| 11th | 28.1 | Shots | 29.2 | 6th |
| 23rd | 28.9 | Shots Allowed | 28.6 | 21st |
| 20th | 19.51% | Power Play % | 19.00% | 21st |
| 4th | 81.90% | Penalty Kill % | 76.23% | 28th |
Sabres vs. Blue Jackets Game Time and TV Channel
- When: Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
- Where: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio
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