The Sabres couldn't come back to win this time.
1st Period
The Blue Jackets played well and carried play in the 1st period. They led 2-1 after 1 with goals scored by Patrik Laine and Emil Bemstrom. The Laine goal was set up by a very good feed from Johnny Gaudreau to put the Jackets up 1-0, 6:15 into the game. Jake Bean, finally back from injury also earned an assist.
The Bemstrom goal was a PPG assisted by both of the new defensemen, Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson. Provorov sent a shot from the point that was blocked down in front, and Bemstrom was there to bang it home.
Zemgus Girgensons scored for Buffalo to make it 2-1 at 11:38 in the first. The shot was an absolute snipe that beat CBJ goalie Merzlikins.
2nd Period
Less than a minute into the 2nd period, Johnny Gaudreau took a pass from Kirill Marchenko and beat goalie Luukkonen, Patrik Laine also was awarded an assist on the goal.
Owen Power surprised Merzlikins with a backhand shot to make the score 3-2. The backhander looked to be at a weird angle and maybe was partially screened by Andrew Peeke. With a little over a minute left in the period, Zach Benson came out of the box and snuck one past Merzlikins to tie it at 3-3. The period would end at 3-3.
3rd Period
The Jackets started the period with a little less than four minutes left of a double minor to kill. They managed to kill it off and keep the game tied at three. Adam Fantilli broke that tie at 8:43, assisted by Provorov and Severson to make it 4-3. The shot was a long-range shot that was credited to Fantilli but was tipped by someone, most likely a Sabre. Kirill Marchenko finished off the Sabres with an empty net goal with 1:30 left in the game. The Jackets win 5-3.
Quick Stats
- With the win over the Sabres, the Jackets move to 3-0 at home in the preseason.
- Five different Blue Jackets scored goals - Fantilli, Gaudreau, Laine, Bemstrom and Marchenko.
- New guys Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson each had two assists.
- Five different players also had multi-point games.
- The CBJ went 1/2 on the PP and 4-4 on the PK, including a four-minute double minor kill.
- The Jackets outshot and outhit the Sabres on Wednesday night, something that seemed to be few and far between last season.
- Patrik Laine played center again. He finished at 43% on faceoffs. Coach Vincent said he's looking more at his defensive play more than anything when he plays center. So far, Laine is looking good. It's a work in progress, but it feels like this could be a thing come opening night. He was the first star Wednesday night.
The Jackets move on quickly when they take on the Washington Capitals on Thursday at Nationwide. The Caps come in with a 2-2 record in the preseason, including a win on the road in Boston on Tuesday night.
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