Pinnacle   -½ +155   BET365   -½ +155  Sportsinteraction  -½ +155  888port -½ +155

Posted at 8:00 AM ET. Odds are subject to change

Columbus -½ +155 over Buffalo

KeyBank Center – Buffalo, NY

7:00 PM ET. Regulation only. Buffalo is coming off back-to-back games against Toronto — a mini playoff atmosphere that saw them trade blows and burn a lot of fuel in the process. They got a home win on Friday and then lost 4-3 in overtime on Saturday, both emotionally charged efforts that leave a hangover effect few bettors account for. Now they return home again, favored over a quietly dangerous Columbus team that has been cashing tickets away from home.

The Jackets have ripped off three straight road wins and are 3-1 away from home this year after being one of the league’s weakest road teams a season ago. That’s not a coincidence. They’ve tightened up defensively, their goaltending rotation is fresh, and they’ve found a physical identity that travels. After getting waxed 5-1 by Washington on Friday, Columbus bounced right back 24 hours later and gutted out a 5-4 shootout win in Pittsburgh — a game that says a lot about their character.

What stands out most about the Jackets right now is balance. Dmitri Voronkov’s emergence gives them another layer of scoring depth. The top six is contributing, the bottom six is forechecking like mad, and Boone Jenner’s group is actually dictating tempo.

Both goalies have been sharp — Elvis Merzlikins undefeated on the road, Jet Greaves steady whenever called upon. Dean Evason’s alternating approach keeps them sharp and motivated, and it’s showing in the results. Meanwhile, the Sabres’ recent uptick looks shinier than it actually is. They’ve picked up points in five of six, but four of those games were wide-open track meets with plenty of luck involved. Their defensive zone coverage still falls apart under pressure, and their goaltending situation remains unstable.

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