The third meeting between the Buffalo Sabres (25-27-4) and Columbus Blue Jackets (18-27-10) is approaching soon on Friday, February 23 at 7:00 PM ET at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The Sabres are appealing as favorites here, with a moneyline currently at -135.

The Sabres are looking to find consistency on the road, as they have gone 3-2 over their last five matches leading to this game. Their most recent battle was a 3-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens, putting them back on the winning side.

Casey Mittelstadt leads the Sabres with 44 points and 31 assists. They also have JJ Peterka, who leads them in scoring with 19 goals so far. They will need a much more aggressive offensive attack from these two.

The Sabres usually tally an average of 2.93 goals per game, make 31.6 shots, and uphold a power play percentage of 14.9. In these instances, they have scored 24 goals and conceded 34, which aligns them with the Blue Jackets.

On the defensive end, they allow an average of 3.05 goals on 29.1 shot attempts, showcasing a slightly negative differential compared to their offensive performance and presenting a more attractive picture than what the Blue Jackets offer. Moreover, their penalty kill percentage of 80.2 is slightly superior to the Blue Jackets' performance in this regard.

The Blue Jackets have gone 2-2 in their last four games, which have all been on the road. Now, they have an opportunity to relax at home. Their most recent game was a 7-4 win over the Anaheim Ducks.

Johnny Gaudreau is leading their offense with 40 points and 32 assists. Boone Jennner is also leading them with scoring duties, as he currently has 18 goals so far this season. Their offense will need to produce sensational numbers, as they did in their previous win, in order to compete here.

The Blue Jackets usually net an average of 2.96 goals per game from 30.0 shots, maintaining a 13.9 power play percentage with 22 goals scored and 39 conceded. Although their offensive performance mirrors the Sabres, their defensive struggles become apparent.

Defensively, the Blue Jackets permit an average of 3.73 goals on 33.3 shots per game, which does not align well with their offensive prowess. Their 75.8 penalty kill percentage suggests potential challenges in this area.

BetAnySports showcases great NHL betting odds, with the Buffalo Sabres (-135) being the favored option when competing on the road. The Sabres exhibit slightly stronger appeal on paper, establishing them as a reliable choice in this scenario.

The series is tied 1-1, with the Sabres winning the last showdown back in December. This was a 3-2 overtime thriller, while the first meeting had the Blue Jackets throttling them 9-4. In addition, the Sabres are 13-11-3 on the road, while the Blue Jackets are 9-14-4 at home.