CBJ 5–1 BUF Final · W
Blue Jackets/Schedule/Recap Sat, Jan 3, 2026 · 2025-26 regular season
Columbus Blue Jackets
CBJ · 18-16-6
5–1
FinalW
Buffalo Sabres
BUF · 21-15-4
1ST2ND3RDT CBJ 31311418535 BUF 110011012133 goals · shots on goal
Meeting 2 this season — the Blue Jackets lead the season series 2–0
CBJ 18-16-6 · BUF 21-15-4 · Meeting 2 this season — the Blue Jackets lead the season series 2–0

Blue Jackets beat the Sabres

The Blue Jackets were outchanced (4.9 to 2.8 expected goals) but won 5–1 anyway. Jet Greaves stopped 3.9 more goals than an average goalie would have.

Who had the better chances

The Sabres created the better chances: 4.9 expected goals to 2.8, on 33 and 35 shots on goal.

CBJ 2.8 xG · 35 shots BUF 4.9 xG · 33 shots
0
1
2
3
4
5
1st · the swing 1.1 · 2.3
2nd 1.1 · 1.1
3rd 0.6 · 1.5
Tap a numbered goal to see how it happened.
Deserve to winReplay this game 100 times with average goalies and the Blue Jackets win 23.
CBJ 23%BUF 77%

Goals and penalties

6 goals · 10 penalties
← Blue Jackets shoot this way Sabres shoot this way →
On net Missed Bigger = better chance 1Goal, numbered to the list
1st period
1
03:00 Denton Mateychuk
Boone Jenner, Zach Werenski · wrist shot, a low-percentage shot (1%) that found a way in
1–0
PEN
04:15 Damon Severson· Hooking
Killed
2 min
Minor
PEN
09:08 Mathieu Olivier· Roughing
Offsetting
2 min
Minor
PEN
09:08 Josh Norris· Roughing
Offsetting
2 min
Minor
2
11:26 Josh Doan
Josh Norris, Owen Power · snap shot, a great chance (29%)
1–1
PEN
11:52 Jacob Bryson· Tripping
Killed
2 min
Minor
PEN
13:41 Kent Johnson· Hooking
Killed
2 min
Minor
3
14:04 Brendan Gaunce SHGWG
Unassisted · snap shot, a good chance (13%)
2–1
4
17:12 Dmitri Voronkov
Ivan Provorov, Damon Severson · tip in shot, a low-percentage shot (9%) that found a way in
3–1
PEN
18:01 Mathieu Olivier· Cross-checking
Killed
2 min
Minor
2nd period
5
08:04 Mathieu Olivier
, Damon Severson · backhand shot, a low-percentage shot (5%) that found a way in
4–1
PEN
19:40 Dante Fabbro· Slashing
Killed
2 min
Minor
3rd period
PEN
10:36 Ivan Provorov· Holding
Offsetting
2 min
Minor
PEN
10:36 Zach Benson· Embellishment
Offsetting
2 min
Minor
6
11:46 Cole Sillinger EN
Denton Mateychuk, Zach Werenski · snap shot, into an empty net
5–1
PEN
14:33 Ivan Provorov· Interference
Killed
2 min
Minor
Goaltending
+3.9
vs expected
32/33 saves · 1 GA · 4.9 xGA Stopped 3.9 more goals than an average goalie would have.
−1.2
vs expected
30/34 saves · 4 GA · 2.8 xGA Allowed 1.2 more goals than expected from the shots he faced.
Team CBJBUF
Shots on goal
35
33
Expected goals
2.8
4.9
Hits
23
15
Blocks
17
15
Faceoffs
47%
53%
Power play
0/1
0/5
Penalty minutes
14
6
The Blue Jackets went 0-for-1 on the power play and killed all 5 Sabres power plays.