Columbus Blue Jackets (4-4-0) at Buffalo Sabres (4-4-1)
Puck Drop: 6:45 PM | KeyBank Center | Buffalo, New York
TV: MSG-B
Radio: WGR 550
Know Your Opponent
Columbus Blue Jackets
Record: 4-4-0 | 8 PTS
Division Ranking: T7th in Metropolitan Division
Last Game: 5-4 Shootout Win vs Pittsburgh
PP: 27th (15%) | Sabres Rank: T10th (23.3%)
PK: 32nd (60.7%) | Sabres Rank: 1st (93.9%)
What to Watch
1. Kesselring’s Debut
The biggest acquisition of the offseason is ready to make his Sabres debut. Michael Kesselring was acquired from Utah with Josh Doan in the JJ Peterka trade but suffered a lower body injury during training camp. The 6’5”, 25-year-old defenseman is poised to become a significant addition to the Sabres backend. He’s known for being solid in his own end but can also contribute offensively. In 82 games last season, he set career highs in goals and assists with 7 and 22 respectively. He was able to generate a ton of shots on net as well. His 150 shots on net would have been second only to Rasmus Dahlin on Buffalo last season. If he comes as advertised, the Sabres defense could be one of the best in the league.
2. Powerful Opportunity
After a slow start, the Sabres powerplay has picked up steam. They are currently tied for 10th best in the league. Beyond the numbers, they’ve shown some different looks and haven’t been overly reliant on Thompson one-timers. Tonight will be an excellent opportunity to jump up in the rankings. Columbus has a league worst 60.7% penalty kill rate. Although it’s only through 9 games, giving up 2 goals on every 5 powerplay opportunities is shockingly terrible. Buffalo would be wise to take advantage of the Blue Jackets clear weakness.
3. Future Sabre Present?
For a global sport, hockey is a small world. Often times, acquisitions are made due to pre-existing connections between players, coaches, or management. Kevyn Adams acquired his former teammate Eric Staal during his first offseason, Don Granato pushed hard to acquire Jordan Greenway who he coached at the US National Program, and 2025 offseason signee, Mason Geertsen, played for Lindy Ruff in New Jersey. To that end, there’s been speculation that Buffalo will swing a trade with Columbus after bringing their former GM into the fold. The name that comes up is Yegor Chinakhov who formally requested a trade in July. The 21-year-old, former 1st round forward has found himself a healthy scratch early in the season and currently on the 4th line. There is interest around the league for him, but none have met the Blue Jackets asking price. If the Jarmo connection yields a future trade, we could be getting a preview of a Sabres deadline acquisition tonight.
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Benson – Kulich – Thompson
Doan – McLeod – Tuch
Zucker – Ostlund – Quinn
Dunne – Krebs – Malenstyn
Defense
Samuelsson – Dahlin
Power – Timmins
Byram – Kesselring
Starter: Lyon
Columbus Blue Jackets
Forwards
Voronkov – Monahan – Marchenko
Jenner – Fantilli – Johnson
Sillinger – Coyle – Olivier
Aston-Reese – Lundestrom – Chinakhov
Defense
Werenski – Mateychuk
Provorov – Severson
Fabbro – Gudbranson
Starter: Greaves
