The NHL action heats up on Tuesday as the Buffalo Sabres (4-4-1) welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets (4-4) to KeyBank Center, with puck drop slated for 6:45 p.m. ET, streaming live on ESPN+. Currently, the Sabres sit in 11th place and the Blue Jackets are just behind them in 13th in the Eastern Conference standings.
Fans interested in following the matchup can find details on how to watch, along with the latest betting odds provided by BetMGM.
In terms of injuries, both teams are dealing with significant player absences. For the Sabres, Justin Danforth (lower body), Joshua Norris (upper body), Carson Meyer (knee), Tyson Kozak (lower body) are confirmed out, while Colten Ellis (day-to-day, back), Michael Kesselring (day-to-day, lower body), Jacob Bryson (day-to-day, concussion), and Jordan Greenway (day-to-day, lower body) are also on the injury report. The Blue Jackets will miss Miles Wood due to an upper body injury.
Statistically, standout performances are key to watch for in this game. Tage Thompson has made an impact with eight points in nine games, marked by four goals and four assists. In net, Alex Lyon has faced a challenging season with 18 goals against over seven games, averaging 2.61 goals against per game with 213 saves. On the Blue Jackets’ side, Dmitri Voronkov has emerged as a threat, tallying nine points (five goals and four assists) in just eight games, while goalie Elvis Merzlikins has a save percentage of .914.
As the season progresses, both teams are looking to gather momentum. The Sabres will aim to capitalize on their home advantage, while the Blue Jackets hope to improve their standing with a crucial win. With both teams closely matched, fans can expect a competitive and entertaining showdown.