Buffalo Sabres @ Columbus Blue Jackets Hockey Game Preview: Prediction & 4 Prop Bets

Thursday, October 1, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM ET Location: Nationwide Arena — Columbus, Ohio Tickets: As low as $47 Moneyline: Columbus Blue Jackets -115 Over/Under: 6.5 Game: 2026-27 NHL Regular-Season Opener

Buffalo Sabres vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction & Matchup Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets open the 2026-27 regular season Thursday night at Nationwide Arena against the Buffalo Sabres in a matchup featuring two Eastern Conference teams entering the year with very different expectations and plenty of early-season intrigue.

Columbus comes into opening night after a strong preseason, finishing 3-1-0 and closing exhibition play with a 4-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. Charlie Coyle and Valeri Nichushkin each recorded a goal and an assist in the win, while Jet Greaves stopped 31 shots.

Buffalo had a more difficult preseason, finishing 1-3-0, but one of its strongest performances came directly against Columbus. The Sabres defeated the Blue Jackets 5-1 on September 22, with Josh Norris opening the scoring, Noah Ostlund scoring twice, and Tage Thompson also finding the net.

That result deserves some context.

Buffalo dressed a lineup that closely resembled its projected opening-night group, while Columbus used a more prospect-heavy roster. The Blue Jackets should have a significantly stronger group on the ice Thursday night.

Columbus’ offseason additions could play a major role immediately.

Valeri Nichushkin brings size, finishing ability and special-teams production to the forward group, while Charlie Coyle gives Columbus another experienced two-way option down the middle. Zach Werenski remains the offensive centerpiece on the blue line after another highly productive season.

Buffalo enters the season after going 50-23-9 last season and finishing first in the Atlantic Division, eventually reaching the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Sabres’ challenge is maintaining that level after offseason changes that included the departures of Bowen Byram and Alex Tuch.

Tage Thompson remains Buffalo’s biggest scoring threat, while Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power give the Sabres one of the NHL’s most talented defensive foundations.

However, Buffalo enters opening week with some injury concerns.

Mattias Samuelsson has been dealing with a lower-body injury, while Olen Zellweger entered concussion protocol during the preseason matchup with Columbus. Jason Zucker is also expected to miss the beginning of the regular season following sports-hernia surgery.

Buffalo also has uncertainty in net. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen left the preseason finale against Pittsburgh with a lower-body issue, while Alex Lyon had already been dealing with an upper-body injury. That could put Colten Ellis in position for a significant role if Buffalo’s veteran goaltenders are unavailable.

Columbus also enters the season managing injuries. Dante Fabbro was placed on injured reserve, while Elvis Merzlikins and Isac Lundestrom were designated injured non-roster during the final round of camp cuts.

The sportsbook has Columbus as a slight -115 home favorite, suggesting another closely contested game.

With Buffalo’s offensive firepower and Columbus’ improved depth, Thursday’s opener has the potential to look much different from their lopsided preseason meeting.

🔥 Top 4 Expanded Prop Bets

Player prop markets can change significantly before puck drop. Confirm the final lineup, starting goaltenders and sportsbook numbers before placing any wagers.

Prop Bet #1: Zach Werenski Over 2.5 Shots on Goal

DraftKings

4.5/5

Tip: Werenski Over 2.5 Shots

• Elite Offensive Defenseman
• Power-Play Quarterback
• High Shot Volume

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Werenski remains one of Columbus’ most important offensive players regardless of position.

The Blue Jackets run a significant portion of their offense through him, particularly on the power play, where his skating ability and willingness to shoot create opportunities from the point.

Buffalo possesses enough offensive talent to force Columbus into an aggressive approach rather than simply protecting a lead.

That type of game should allow Werenski to activate into the offensive zone frequently.

Reaching three shots on goal is a reasonable target for a defenseman who routinely plays heavy minutes and receives premium power-play opportunities.

Lean: Zach Werenski Over 2.5 Shots on Goal.

Prop Bet #2: Tage Thompson Over 3.5 Shots on Goal

FanDuel

4.6/5

Tip: Thompson Over 3.5 Shots

• Buffalo’s Top Shooter
• Power-Play Weapon
• High-Volume Scorer

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Thompson remains Buffalo’s premier shooting threat.

He scored against Columbus during the preseason meeting and finished last season with 40 goals, giving the Sabres a dangerous shooter capable of generating attempts from virtually anywhere in the offensive zone.

Buffalo should look to get Thompson involved early, particularly if Columbus attempts to establish the pace in front of its home crowd.

His role on the power play also creates additional opportunities for clean shooting lanes from the circles.

Four shots is an aggressive but realistic target if Thompson receives his usual first-line and power-play workload.

Lean: Tage Thompson Over 3.5 Shots on Goal.

Prop Bet #3: Over 6.5 Total Goals

Caesars

4.4/5

Tip: Over 6.5 Goals

• Buffalo Scoring Talent
• Goaltending Questions
• Offensive Weapons on Both Sides

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The posted total of 6.5 reflects the offensive potential on both benches.

Buffalo scored five goals against Columbus during their preseason meeting, although Columbus did not dress anything close to its full NHL lineup.

The Blue Jackets should generate considerably more offense Thursday with Werenski, Kirill Marchenko, Nichushkin, Coyle and the rest of their primary weapons available.

Buffalo’s goaltending situation is also worth watching closely. Luukkonen left the preseason finale with a lower-body issue, while Lyon has been dealing with an upper-body injury.

If Buffalo is forced to use a less experienced option in net, Columbus could generate multiple scoring opportunities.

On the other side, Thompson, Dahlin, Josh Norris, Zach Benson and Jack Quinn give Buffalo enough offensive ability to contribute significantly to the total.

A 4-3 type of game is very much in play.

Lean: Over 6.5 Total Goals.

Prop Bet #4: Columbus Blue Jackets Moneyline -115

BetMGM

4.5/5

Tip: Columbus -115

• Home Opener
• Strong Preseason Finish
• Buffalo Injury Concerns

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At -115, Columbus only needs to win the game outright.

The Blue Jackets finished the preseason with three victories in four games and ended with an encouraging 4-2 road victory over Detroit.

Buffalo clearly demonstrated its ability to beat Columbus during the preseason, but the circumstances will be dramatically different Thursday.

The Blue Jackets should dress their full NHL group, while Buffalo could be dealing with injuries on defense and uncertainty in goal.

Playing the season opener in front of the Nationwide Arena crowd also gives Columbus an additional advantage.

There is little separation between these teams on the moneyline, but Columbus at home offers reasonable value.

Lean: Columbus Blue Jackets -115.

Players to Watch

Zach Werenski — Columbus: The Blue Jackets’ offensive engine from the blue line. Werenski’s skating, passing and shooting make him one of the most dangerous offensive defensemen in hockey.

Kirill Marchenko — Columbus: A natural goal scorer who should remain one of the Blue Jackets’ primary offensive weapons.

Valeri Nichushkin — Columbus: The offseason addition already showed his ability during the preseason, recording a goal and an assist in Columbus’ 4-2 finale victory over Detroit.

Charlie Coyle — Columbus: Coyle also produced a goal and an assist against Detroit and provides Columbus with another experienced forward who can contribute at even strength and on special teams.

Tage Thompson — Buffalo: Buffalo’s premier goal-scoring threat. His combination of size, release and shooting volume makes him dangerous every time he enters the offensive zone.

Rasmus Dahlin — Buffalo: One of the NHL’s elite two-way defensemen and an essential part of Buffalo’s transition game and power play.

Josh Norris — Buffalo: Norris scored against Columbus during the preseason matchup and gives Buffalo another dangerous offensive weapon through the middle.

Noah Ostlund — Buffalo: Ostlund scored twice in Buffalo’s 5-1 preseason victory over Columbus and was one of the Sabres’ most impressive young forwards throughout camp.

Keys to the Game

Columbus Blue Jackets

Start faster than the preseason meeting: Buffalo controlled long stretches of the September 22 game and scored five unanswered goals before Columbus finally broke through.

Get Werenski involved offensively: Columbus is at its best when Werenski is moving the puck aggressively and creating shooting lanes.

Attack Buffalo’s defense: Injuries could force the Sabres to use different defensive combinations than originally planned.

Pressure the Buffalo goaltender: With questions surrounding Luukkonen and Lyon, Columbus should put pucks on net early and create traffic around the crease.

Stay disciplined: Buffalo’s skill makes unnecessary penalties especially dangerous.

Buffalo Sabres

Use Thompson early: Buffalo needs to establish its top scorer immediately and force Columbus to defend the perimeter as well as the front of the net.

Generate offense off the rush: Buffalo’s speed gave Columbus problems during the preseason meeting.

Protect the defensive zone: Potential absences on the blue line could create difficult matchups.

Limit Werenski’s space: Allowing Columbus’ top defenseman time to operate can quickly lead to extended offensive-zone possession.

Survive the opening push: Columbus should have significant energy behind it during its home opener.

Betting Prediction

This should be considerably more competitive than Buffalo’s 5-1 preseason victory.

Columbus enters opening night having played well throughout most of the preseason and should field a much stronger lineup than Buffalo faced on September 22.

The Sabres remain dangerous.

Thompson, Dahlin and Buffalo’s collection of skilled young forwards give the Sabres enough offensive firepower to score against anybody.

The difference could come down to Buffalo’s injuries.

If Samuelsson is unavailable and either Luukkonen or Lyon cannot start, Columbus should be able to create sustained pressure around the Buffalo net.

The Blue Jackets also have the advantage of opening the season at Nationwide Arena.

Expect scoring opportunities in both directions and a game that remains close into the final minutes.

The Verdict

Prediction

Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Buffalo Sabres 3

Best Bets

Columbus Blue Jackets Moneyline -115

Over 6.5 Total Goals

Zach Werenski Over 2.5 Shots on Goal

Tage Thompson Over 3.5 Shots on Goal

Buffalo’s 5-1 preseason victory over Columbus shows what the Sabres can do when their speed and offensive depth take control of a game.

Thursday night should be different.

Columbus will have its regular lineup available, enters after an encouraging 3-1-0 preseason and gets the benefit of home ice for the season opener.

Buffalo possesses enough offense to make this difficult, but questions surrounding the Sabres’ defense and goaltending tilt the matchup slightly toward Columbus.

Look for both offenses to generate chances before the Blue Jackets take advantage of home ice and produce the deciding goal late.

Final Score Prediction: Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Buffalo Sabres 3.

Confirm starting goaltenders, final injury reports and sportsbook markets before wagering. Buffalo’s goaltending situation in particular could materially affect both the moneyline and the 6.5-goal total.