by Chuck Sommers
Thursday, Feb 10, 2022
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Venue: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY
Where to watch: ESPN+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Sabres -105, Blue Jackets -115
BetMGM: Sabres -115, Blue Jackets -105
Caesars: EVEN
Season record
Blue Jackets: 21-22-1
Sabres: 14-24-7
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Blue Jackets - Sabres preview and analysis
When the Buffalo Sabres traded Jack Eichel to the Vegas Golden Knights, I think the Sabres had more faith in the return for that trade than most did.
We look at trades in the NHL as win-now moves, unless there’s some serious impact to it for the future. And while Eichel, when he debuts, will make life more interesting for the Golden Knights, the Sabres are hoping Alex Tuch and Peyton Krebs become the future and present sooner rather than later.
And with the Sabres in dire need of getting things rolling out of the All-Star break with a victory, I like Buffalo to come out strong with a win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday. I also like the fact that Tuch and Krebs will lead the way as they have to this point.
Tuch was not supposed to be ready for a few more weeks. The power forward underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason, which is why he didn’t even play for Vegas at the time of the trade, with a recovery time of six months. Given that timeline, it was expected he’d be back after the Olympic break.
Not only did Tuch come back in that time, but he’s become the star Buffalo has craved. Tuch is averaging a point per game in 13 games since making his season debut for Buffalo in January. He’s playing the most ice time he’s ever gotten (19:46 per game) and has become a vital top-line option. His 13 points through 13 games is, by far, the best pace he’s ever been on.
And while Krebs hasn’t exploded out of the gates in terms of scoring, he’s been solid with five points in 20 games. Krebs scored his first two goals in one game on Jan. 22. After a 2-point game at Arizona, Krebs was a minus-2 in the two games that followed, showing he’s got time to grow. The good news is Buffalo is in the position to let them grow with no setbacks.
Winning games isn’t as difficult a chore as it once was in Buffalo, but the Sabres are still a ways off from reaching contender status. As for this game, I like the home team coming out and just taking it to Columbus. It’s been a while for Buffalo, but I like them at home as likely dogs. Sabres win 3-2
Betting trends
The Blue Jackets are 14-26 (-11.7 units on the money line) following a one-win goal in their previous game.
The Sabres are 4-19 after playing five or fewer games in 14 days.
The Sabres are 7-32 when avenging a loss to an opponent that was by three goals or more.
Projected lines
Blue Jackets:
Patrik Laine -- Boone Jenner -- Gustav Nyquist
Jakub Voracek -- Cole Sillinger -- Oliver Bjorkstrand
Yegor Chinakhov -- Sean Kuraly -- Max Domi
Trey Fix-Wolansky -- Jack Roslovic -- Brendan Gaunce
Zach Werenski -- Andrew Peeke
Vladislav Gavrikov -- Adam Boqvist
Gavin Bayreuther -- Dean Kukan
Elvis Merzlikins
Patrik Laine -- Boone Jenner -- Gustav Nyquist
Jakub Voracek -- Cole Sillinger -- Oliver Bjorkstrand
Yegor Chinakhov -- Sean Kuraly -- Max Domi
Trey Fix-Wolansky -- Jack Roslovic -- Brendan Gaunce
Zach Werenski -- Andrew Peeke
Vladislav Gavrikov -- Adam Boqvist
Gavin Bayreuther -- Dean Kukan
Elvis Merzlikins
Sabres:
Peyton Krebs -- Tage Thompson -- Alex Tuch
Jeff Skinner -- Dylan Cozens -- Kyle Okposo
Anders Bjork -- Rasmus Asplund -- Victor Olofsson
Mark Jankowski -- Cody Eakin -- John Hayden
Rasmus Dahlin -- Henri Jokiharju
Mattias Samuelsson -- Casey Fitzgerald
Jacob Bryson -- Mark Pysyk
Craig Anderson
Peyton Krebs -- Tage Thompson -- Alex Tuch
Jeff Skinner -- Dylan Cozens -- Kyle Okposo
Anders Bjork -- Rasmus Asplund -- Victor Olofsson
Mark Jankowski -- Cody Eakin -- John Hayden
Rasmus Dahlin -- Henri Jokiharju
Mattias Samuelsson -- Casey Fitzgerald
Jacob Bryson -- Mark Pysyk
Craig Anderson
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
