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NHL · October 1, 2026

Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets Final — October 1, 2026

Buffalo Sabres logo
Buffalo Sabres
3
FINAL
Columbus Blue Jackets logo
Columbus Blue Jackets
6
Thursday, October 1 · 7:10 PM ET

Final score and result vs the closing line

Buffalo Sabres 3, Columbus Blue Jackets 6

Columbus Blue Jackets won by 3.

The pre-game matchup

The Sabres visited the Blue Jackets on Thursday, October 1 at 7:10 PM ET.

Last season (2025-26), the Sabres scored 3.51 goals per game (5th of 32) and allowed 2.94 (7th). The Blue Jackets scored 3.09 goals per game (16th of 32) and allowed 3.09 (16th). The Sabres earned 66.5% of available standings points (4th) and the Blue Jackets 56.1% (15th).

Expected-goals share (5-on-5), the share of 5-on-5 expected goals created: Sabres 50.5% (14th), Blue Jackets 51.4% (10th). Shot-attempt share (5-on-5), the share of all 5-on-5 shot attempts: Sabres 49.3% (16th), Blue Jackets 50.8% (11th). High-danger chance share, the share of 5-on-5 high-danger chances: Sabres 51.7% (13th), Blue Jackets 50.3% (15th). These are last season's full-season numbers because the new season's sample is still small; rosters change over the offseason.

Written from the numbers available before kickoff.

Tale of the tape

Buffalo Sabres logoSabres
Blue JacketsColumbus Blue Jackets logo
Offense
Goals per gamescored
3.515th
3.0916th
Power-play goals per 60per 60 power-play minutes
6.9321st
6.8822nd
Defense
Goals allowed per gameallowed
2.947th
3.0916th
Penalty-kill goals allowed per 60per 60 shorthanded minutes
6.174th
8.3724th
Team
Points percentagestandings points earned out of points available
66.5%4th
56.1%15th
Expected-goals share (5-on-5)share of 5-on-5 expected goals created
50.5%14th
51.4%10th
Shot-attempt share (5-on-5)share of all 5-on-5 shot attempts
49.3%16th
50.8%11th
High-danger chance shareshare of 5-on-5 high-danger chances
51.7%13th
50.3%15th

Full 2025-26 regular season (last season), captured before kickoff. League rank in small type (32 teams); the gold side ranks higher. Bars show rank, longest = 1st. Source: Gridiron & Wine public Analytics tables.

Closing line and line movement

Puck line
OpenBlue Jackets +1.5 (-300)
Sabres -1.5 (+210)
Close—
Total
Open5.5 (o -135 / u +115)
Close—
Moneyline
OpenSabres -108 50%
Blue Jackets -111 50%
Close—

Consensus of US sportsbooks. Open = first line after both teams' previous games; Close = consensus at kickoff. Percentages are the moneyline's no-vig market-implied chances.

Teams

Buffalo Sabres

Columbus Blue Jackets

Gridiron & Wine graded a pick on this game: see the archived pick.

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