The set-up: The 27-28-12 Buffalo Sabres are 13th in the Eastern Conference standings and have all but been eliminated from the playoff picture following three straight losses and seven defeats in their last eight games (1-5-2). Meanwhile, the 42-17-7 Columbus Blue Jackets are embroiled in a three-team battle for second place in the Metropolitan Division but they also remain in striking distance of NHL-leading Washington with 17 games remaining in the regular season.

Buffalo: The Sabres have just 66 points and that leaves them nine points back of the final wild card spot (New York Islanders) plus there a four teams ahead of them. Making up ground in the postseason race will be daunting task for Buffalo, as after this home-and-home against Columbus, teh Sabres head out for a four-game road trip starting on the West Coast.

Columbus: The Blue Jackets have 90 points (so do the Pens) plus the Rangers are lurking with 88. However, Columbus hasn't given up hopes of catching the Caps, who with 95 points, are the NHL's top team. Back-to-back games against the Sabres gives Columbus a chance to climb up the standings. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has registered three straight shutouts, including blanking the Devils twice. He is within 19 minutes, 28 seconds of tying Steve Mason's franchise record (199:28) for the longest scoreless streak.

The pick: At first blush, the under seems to be the play but Buffalo has allowed at least three goals in seven of its last eight contest, allowing 4.13 goals per game during that stretch. Columbus averages 3.26 goals at home, so I expect the Blue Jackets to get four or more goals here, making the Over a 10* play.