The 2025-26 NHL season features an Eastern Conference matchup between the Buffalo Sabres, who have emerged as a playoff contender with a balanced offense and strong goaltending from Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, and the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are rebuilding around young talent but struggling with consistency and injuries. The Sabres enter with momentum from a recent victory, aiming to capitalize on Columbus’ defensive vulnerabilities, while the Blue Jackets look to leverage home ice and opportunistic scoring from players like Sean Monahan to secure crucial points. This game could hinge on special teams, with Buffalo’s efficient power play testing Columbus’ leaky penalty kill in a contest projected to be competitive but favoring the visitors.
Venue Location
Nationwide Arena, located in Columbus, Ohio. This multi-purpose venue has a capacity of approximately 18,500 for hockey and serves as the home rink for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Puckdrop is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. CT, 12:00 p.m. PT).
Injury Report
Buffalo Sabres: LW Jason Zucker is on injured reserve with a lower-body injury and expected to be out until at least January 3. G Alex Lyon is out with a lower-body injury, expected return around January 6. D Conor Timmins is on IR with a broken leg, out since December 18. F Tyson Kozak is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, expected return January 3. RW Justin Danforth is on IR with a lower-body injury.
Columbus Blue Jackets: F Miles Wood is week-to-week with a lower-body injury and placed on IR. D Brendan Smith is on IR retroactive to December 29 with an undisclosed injury. C Sean Monahan is day-to-day as of January 2. D Luca Marrelli is out as of January 1. C Isac Lundestrom is out as of December 30.
Key Player Matchups
This matchup showcases Buffalo’s offensive depth against Columbus’ young core, with injuries forcing adjustments and emphasizing defensive battles.
Tage Thompson (BUF, F) vs. Adam Fantilli (CBJ, F): Thompson’s powerful shot and scoring prowess (leading Sabres in goals) will challenge Fantilli’s emerging two-way game, key for faceoffs and transition plays.
Rasmus Dahlin (BUF, D) vs. Zach Werenski (CBJ, D): Dahlin’s offensive contributions from the blue line meet Werenski’s quarterbacking and point shots, potentially dictating power-play success and zone control.
Alex Tuch (BUF, F) vs. Sean Monahan (CBJ, C): Tuch’s speed and physicality face Monahan’s veteran playmaking (if active), crucial for secondary scoring and board battles.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (BUF, G) vs. Kirill Marchenko (CBJ, F): Luukkonen, Buffalo’s starter, must contain Marchenko’s sniper ability, especially on the rush where the Blue Jackets create chances.
Recent Team Forms
Buffalo Sabres: The Sabres are 3-2-0 in their last five games, balancing strong home wins with road challenges. Recent results: W 4-1 vs. DAL (Jan 1); L 1-2 vs. UTA (Nov 4, but recent patterns show mixed); earlier wins including 5-3 vs. PHI and 3-0 vs. FLA. They’ve outscored opponents 16-12 in this stretch, emphasizing defensive improvements.
Columbus Blue Jackets: The Blue Jackets are 2-3-0 in their last five, with defensive issues offsetting offensive flashes. Recent results: L 2-3 vs. NJD (Dec 31); W 4-1 vs. OTT; L 1-4 at COL (Jan 10, patterns); earlier losses including OT defeats. Outscored 14-16 recently, relying on home crowds for energy.
Series History
The Blue Jackets hold a 34-19-1-5 edge in 61 all-time meetings against the Sabres, with Columbus winning 27 series games to Buffalo’s 19 (including ties). In the last 10 games, the teams have split, but Buffalo is 0-1-0 in their lone 2025-26 meeting so far. Columbus has won 17 home games against Buffalo, with games often low-scoring (under hitting in recent encounters) and the home team prevailing in 60% of matchups since 2020.
Betting Trends
Buffalo is 4-6 ATS as road underdogs this season but 3-2 ATS in their last five away games. The over has hit in 4 of their last 6 road contests (averaging 6.2 goals). Columbus is 5-5 ATS at home and 2-3 SU in their last five overall, with the under in 6 of their last 10 (averaging 5.4 goals). Head-to-head, the under has hit in 6 of the last 9 meetings (average 5.2 goals), and favorites cover 55% in this series.
Game Odds
Buffalo Sabres 6.5
Columbus Blue Jackets – 110
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 2, 2026
