Buffalo at Columbus

The 5-13-3 Columbus Blue Jackets should be easy prey for the Buffalo Sabres tonight in Columbus, right? Not so fast as the Sabres have some serious issues of their own as losers of three of their last four and four of their last six. The problems have come from behind the net as the Sabres have allowed 27 goals in their last eight games, better than 3 per contest, and three of the last four opponents have gone for 4 goals or more. The Blue Jackets have actually been much better of late after opening the season at 2-12 they have played .00 hockey over their last six games. They should get some opportunities against the loosely played net of the Sabres. After going 18 games this season scoring 4 or more once, the Jackets have struck the net four times twice in their last three games. They are much better at home, and the home team has cashed seven of the last 10 on this series. Columbus gets the money in this one.