Sabres Lose to CBJ 6-3

Sabres Fall 6-3 in Columbus as Knies Leads CBJ Breakout

The Buffalo Sabres opened their road slate with a disappointing 6-3 loss to Columbus on Thursday night, unable to keep pace after a promising start left them even with the home side early in the first period.

First Period: Early Trade, Then CBJ Pulls Away

Buffalo struck first, with M. Samuelsson opening the scoring just 7:21 into the game, assisted by N. Ostlund and O. Power. The lead was short-lived, however, as Columbus answered with a flurry. C. Sillinger tied things up at 12:51 off helpers from C. Coyle and D. Mateychuk, and the Blue Jackets took control late in the frame. M. Knies buried his first of the night at 17:58, assisted by Coyle and Z. Werenski, and just 46 seconds later A. Fantilli made it 3-1 with Werenski and Knies picking up the assists. Buffalo also took a penalty late in the period when M. Samuelsson was called for holding, but Columbus' power play didn't convert — the damage was already done at even strength.

Second Period: Sabres Battle, But CBJ Answers Every Push

Buffalo came out determined in the middle frame, with J. Quinn cutting the deficit to 3-2 just 1:25 in, assisted by Z. Benson and N. Ostlund. The period also featured a chaotic sequence at the 3:58 mark, with penalties piling up on both sides including a fighting major for Buffalo's Z. Metsa and a matching major plus unsportsmanlike conduct minor for Columbus' M. Olivier. Columbus restored their two-goal cushion at 7:45 when M. Knies scored his second of the night, assisted by E. Andrae and K. Johnson. Buffalo wouldn't go away quietly, though, as K. Helenius scored at 13:14, assisted by R. McLeod and O. Power, trimming the gap to 4-3 heading into the third.

Third Period: Columbus Pulls Away Late

The Sabres kept the pressure on through the middle of the third, but Columbus delivered the decisive blows late. S. Monahan scored at 14:21, assisted by V. Nichushkin and D. Voronkov, and M. Olivier added an insurance marker at 17:53 off a feed from C. Coyle, sealing the 6-3 final.

Standout Performers

Columbus' M. Knies was the story of the night, netting a pair of goals and earning top star honors, while Z. Werenski and C. Coyle each factored into three Blue Jackets goals. For Buffalo, N. Ostlund and O. Power were each involved in two Sabres goals, showing some positive chemistry to build on.

Special Teams & Goaltending

Both teams traded penalties throughout, including a heated fighting major exchange in the second period, though all nine goals on the night came at even strength. In net, U. Luukkonen stopped 17 of 22 shots for Buffalo, while Columbus' J. Greaves turned aside 23 of 26 to secure the win. Shots were fairly even overall, with Buffalo out-shooting Columbus 26-23.

Looking Ahead

Buffalo will look to clean up their defensive execution and find more consistency through 60 minutes as they continue their early-season road trip.