Columbus Blue Jackets vs Buffalo Sabres Picks and Prediction for Friday November 6 2026

Columbus heads to Buffalo on Friday night for a 7 PM ET game against the Sabres at KeyBank Center. Buffalo is sitting around -170 on the moneyline, with Columbus at +156 and the total at 6.5 goals. The Blue Jackets have to play Dallas on Thursday before making this trip, so they’ll be dealing with a quick turnaround. Buffalo has had a little more time to prepare, although the Sabres haven’t exactly been playing great hockey at home. I like Buffalo in this spot, but there’s enough going on here that I wouldn’t call it an easy one. Be prepared for all the NHL action with our free NHL picks.

Columbus Blue Jackets Have Been Up and Down

Columbus is 6-7-0 heading into Thursday’s game against Dallas. The Blue Jackets just beat Colorado 7-2 on Tuesday, and that’s a pretty impressive result against a team that had been scoring nearly four goals per game. But Columbus also lost 3-1 to Dallas on Saturday, so the offense hasn’t exactly been dependable from one night to the next.

The Blue Jackets have scored 36 goals through 13 games, averaging 2.77 per night. They’ve allowed 41, which works out to 3.15. That’s not a terrible difference, but it explains why Columbus has been struggling to put together a winning streak. The offense can get going, as Colorado found out, but the defense hasn’t been reliable enough to carry the team through its quieter nights.

Here’s what bothers me about Columbus on Friday. The Blue Jackets have to play Dallas on Thursday, then travel to Buffalo for another game. That’s a tough turnaround, especially against a Sabres team that’s been pretty dangerous offensively. Columbus has already shown it can beat Buffalo this season, winning 6-3 back in October. But doing it again on tired legs is a different conversation.

Buffalo Sabres Need to Get Back in the Win Column

Buffalo is 7-5-3 after losing 2-1 to Ottawa on Wednesday. That’s a frustrating loss because the Sabres had been playing better hockey before that. They won three straight on the road, beating San Jose 2-0, Anaheim 7-6, and Los Angeles 3-2. Then they came home and couldn’t get enough offense against Ottawa.

The Sabres have scored 44 goals in 15 games, averaging 2.93, while allowing 51. That’s 3.4 goals against per night, and it’s a problem. Buffalo has been giving opponents too many opportunities, which is why the Sabres have had some pretty wild games. The 7-6 win over Anaheim is a perfect example. Great offense, but you shouldn’t have to score seven to win.

Still, I like Buffalo’s situation Friday. The Sabres are at home, Columbus is playing on consecutive nights, and Buffalo should be looking to respond after that Ottawa loss. The Blue Jackets have been capable of scoring, so the Sabres can’t get careless defensively. But if Buffalo can keep the pressure on Columbus and make the Blue Jackets work through tired legs, I think the Sabres have the advantage.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Buffalo Sabres Picks and Prediction

Moneyline Pick: Buffalo Sabres -170

I’m taking Buffalo. Columbus just put seven on Colorado, and I know the Blue Jackets already beat the Sabres once this season. But I’m not getting too excited about that one result. Columbus has been inconsistent, and playing Dallas on Thursday before traveling to Buffalo isn’t a great setup. The Sabres have been scoring enough to win games, and I think they’ll have the fresher legs. The price is a little steep, but Buffalo is the team I’d rather back.

Total Pick: Over 6.5 Goals

Give me the over 6.5. Buffalo has been allowing 3.4 goals per game, and Columbus has been giving up more than three. That’s not exactly a recipe for a defensive battle. The Blue Jackets just scored seven against Colorado, and Buffalo has already been involved in a 7-6 game this season. I can see both teams getting into the three-goal range, and then we just need one more. The concern is Columbus being tired and struggling to score, but I think Buffalo’s defensive problems give the Blue Jackets enough chances to contribute.

Final Picks: Buffalo Sabres -170 | Over 6.5 Goals

Disclaimer: This preview was completed on November 5, 2026, before Columbus played Dallas. Betting odds, injuries, team records, and starting goaltenders may change before puck drop.