Columbus Blue Jackets vs Buffalo Sabres

September 22, 2026 · 7:00 PM EDT · Final · Final 1–5

1–5

Model projection

Blue Jackets 41%Sabres 59%
Projected score2.6 – 3.2expected goals
Overtime17%chance of OT
Model moneyline+142 / -142Blue Jackets / Sabres
Market moneyline— / —no stored line

Section edges

Season-level model scores for each side. The higher score owns the edge in that part of the game.

SectionBlue JacketsSabresEdge
Front Office300300Even
Coaching194.5175Blue Jackets
Offense202.3254.1Sabres
Defense321.6291.3Blue Jackets
Overtime309.4273.5Blue Jackets
Opponents31.830.1Blue Jackets
Global116.7155.6Sabres

Metric matchup

The largest gaps between the two clubs across the model's shared metrics, with each side's raw value and 0–100 league score.

MetricSectionBlue JacketsSabres
Opp Comebacks in 3rd PeriodsDefense0 · 1001 · 0
Shot Quality (avg danger/attempt)Offense0.091 · 00.115 · 68.4
Scoring Chances / GameOffense11.8 · 10.320.3 · 75.2
Shots / OTOvertime4 · 57.10 · 0
First 10 Minutes Goals For/AgainstCoaching— · 500% · 0
Losses Despite High Scoring ChancesGlobal0 · 01 · 50
Opp Time with the LeadDefense12.4% · 81.141.9% · 36.3
Opp Scoring Chances / GameDefense24.5 · 018.5 · 39.3
3+ Goal Routes (Blowout Losses)Coaching1 · 66.70 · 100
Shots Against / OTOvertime0 · 1001 · 75
Time with the LeadOffense39% · 59.225.8% · 39.2
Shot Attempts / GameOffense46.3 · 3454 · 53.8

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Blue Jackets vs Sabres matchup

This page summarizes the NHL Power Ranking model's view of Columbus Blue Jackets vs Buffalo Sabres on September 22, 2026. Win probabilities come from the head-to-head engine, which blends each club's stored power sections with goaltending, schedule rest and available roster context. Section edges show where each side owns a season-long advantage; the metric table lists the largest measured gaps.

Team pages: Columbus Blue Jackets power ranking and Buffalo Sabres power ranking.