The Buffalo Sabres can’t afford to let the Columbus Blue Jackets steal points from them next season.
Buffalo’s 2026-27 schedule brings three meetings with Columbus: Oct. 1 in Columbus, Nov. 6 in Buffalo and Jan. 8 back in Columbus. That first game also opens the season for both teams, which makes the matchup even more important as the Sabres try to get rolling right away.
Columbus is being sized up as one of the league’s weaker clubs, even with center Adam Fantilli in the mix and Zach Werenski still anchoring the blue line for now. On paper, the Blue Jackets don’t stack up well against most NHL teams, and that’s exactly why Buffalo has to treat these games like must-win spots.
There’s a bigger reason, too. In a tight race, every regulation loss to a team like Columbus can end up costing a team home-ice advantage in the playoffs. Buffalo can’t hand out points to a rival that should be lower on the ladder.
The Blue Jackets do have one thing working for them: they’re in the Metropolitan Division, which is considered one of the weaker divisions in the league. But from Buffalo’s side, that doesn’t change the assignment. The Sabres need to handle business when they see Columbus, especially with the opener in October setting the tone.
A clean start matters for every team, and a strong Game 1 against the Blue Jackets would give Buffalo exactly that. Columbus might scrap and surprise people at times, but it’s still one of the teams the Sabres are expected to beat. If Buffalo slips up and leaves points on the table against them, fans in Sabres country won’t let that slide.
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Buffalos offseason changes have left the Sabres thinner in that department, creating a path for Lindy Ruff to lean on his top defenseman more often when the team is down a skater. That kind of usage can be demanding, but it can also be persuasive in award discussions because it shows trust in every situation. How far that goes may end up telling a lot about Dahlins next Norris push. [Read more 🡒]