The Buffalo Sabres opened their preseason at home Tuesday night and came away with a 5-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, but the final score wasn’t the only thing that mattered at KeyBank Center. The lineup looked close to what fans should expect to see most nights once the games count, and three performances stood out in particular.
There was also a worrying side to the night. Mattias Samuelsson and Olen Zellweger both left in the second period, and Jiri Kulich appeared to take a hit behind the net in the third before skating slowly to the bench. Kulich did return later in the period and finished the game, but the Sabres will be hoping none of the injuries turn into anything serious or long-term.
Noah Ostlund was right at the center of the best stretch of Buffalo’s offense. Skating with Zach Benson and Jack Quinn, Ostlund scored twice and made the line look dangerous every time it jumped over the boards. His first goal came on a strong pass from Benson and gave Buffalo a 2-0 lead in the second period.
Not long after that, the Sabres were back on the rush. Ostlund appeared to set Benson up for a goal, but the shot rang off the crossbar, and Ostlund cleaned up the rebound to make it 3-0.
With Quinn coming off a career year, Benson breaking out in the playoffs, and Ostlund productive in his rookie season last year, that trio has the look of a line with real upside. If they keep growing together, Buffalo could have a very strong second line this season.
Owen Power also made a major impression, and he had to carry more of the load than the coaching staff likely planned. With Samuelsson and Zellweger out, Power logged more than 25 minutes of ice time, tops on the team, and made it count with three goals and a plus-4 rating.
The expectations are high for the former first overall pick after what was arguably the best season of his career, and he’ll be asked to take on even more with Bowen Byram no longer in Buffalo. If Tuesday was any preview, Power looks ready for the heavier role.
In goal, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen gave Buffalo exactly the kind of start it wanted. After Alex Lyon struggled against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Luukkonen was sharp against Columbus, stopping all 13 shots he faced through the first two periods before giving way to Colten Ellis for the third.
Given all the summer chatter around Connor Hellebuyck, it was encouraging for the Sabres to see Luukkonen open preseason on a strong note. He didn’t get much preseason work last year because of injuries, so this start should help him heading toward the regular season.
Buffalo now has a break before returning to the ice Thursday night in Detroit for its third preseason game.
In Other News...
Sabres Suddenly Face A Blue-Line Problem They Couldn't Afford
Buffalos blue line took a hit during the game when Mattias Samuelsson and Olen Zellweger both left with injuries and did not return for the third period. Samuelsson came out after blocking a shot and briefly came back for one shift before his night was done, while Zellweger was forced out after taking a hit and needed assistance getting to the locker room.
For a team already working with limited depth on defense, losing two regulars in the same game quickly changes the look of the lineup. The Sabres had to get through the final period short-handed on the back end, and the bigger concern now is whether either player will be available if this carries beyond one night and forces another adjustment. [Read more 🡒]
Sabres May Have Found A Blue Line Piece Nobody Saw Coming
Louis Creviers first appearance in a Sabres sweater offered a quick look at why Buffalo thought he was worth adding to the blue line mix. The defenseman, acquired from Chicago, stepped into preseason action and talked afterward about the work it took to settle his nerves early in his career, crediting the Blackhawks mental coach for helping him handle the pressure that comes with trying to stick in the NHL. He described himself as a defense-first player, but one with some offensive upside, which is exactly the sort of blend teams like to find in camp.
Lindy Ruff seemed to notice the same thing. The Sabres coach praised Creviers abilities and pointed to the role he has been carving out during training camp as Buffalo keeps sorting through its defensive options. For a player who did not arrive with much fanfare, every practice rep and preseason shift matters, and Crevier has at least given the coaching staff a reason to keep watching closely as the roster picture comes into focus. [Read more 🡒]
Sabres Are Giving Fans A Reason To Arrive Long Before Puck Drop
The Sabres are giving fans an early reason to head downtown on Saturday, Sept. 26, with Sabretooths Preseason Bash set to turn Ticketmaster Alumni Plaza into a gathering spot before Buffalo faces the Pittsburgh Penguins in preseason action. The team is leaning into a family-friendly setup, with entertainment, games and activities meant to make the hours before puck drop feel like part of the show.
For fans who like the atmosphere as much as the hockey, the plaza event is the draw, and it comes with a nice perk: the pregame festivities are free to the public. Game access is a different story, of course, since a ticket is still required to get inside the arena, but the Sabres are clearly trying to make the day feel bigger than just another preseason date on the calendar. [Read more 🡒]