Blue Jackets silenced the Sabres' win streak with a dominant 5-1 victory. Hear directly from the players who made it happen.
The Columbus Blue Jackets played the first half of a back-to-back yesterday afternoon against the Buffalo Sabres.
They were able to jump out to an early lead and after the Sabres tied it 1-1, the Blue Jackets took over and scored four unanswered goals. With their 5-1 win, it snapped Buffalo's 10 game winning streak.
The Blue Jackets will host the Pittsburgh Penguins today. Before that, let's hear from the Blue Jackets players.
Dean Evason – Head Coach
- Emphasized the goal of “checking first” to establish a solid foundation from the start of the game.
- Acknowledged that the team got on the “wrong side” of the play a few times, specifically during the second period.
- Felt the team did a great job taking away time and space, preventing Buffalo from getting comfortable with the puck.
- Noted that playing on the “right side” allowed them to check effectively rather than chasing the opponent.
- Praised Jet Greaves for making massive saves at the most critical moments of the game.
- Highlighted Greaves’ calm demeanor as a stabilizing force that the rest of the team followed.
- Was pleased that the team prioritized their own identity and playstyle over the opponent’s recent hot streak.
- Specifically noted the defensive pairing of Werenski and Mateychuk for their ability to read the game and play heavy minutes.
- Appreciated that his defenders weren’t just defending, but were active in jumping into the offensive play.
- Pointed out that the penalty kill has improved because they are finally getting pucks cleared effectively.
- Mentioned that early-season struggles on the PK were often due to giving up second and third chances, which they’ve cleaned up.
- Described the game as “boring” in a positive way, suggesting the team was disciplined and in control.
- Commended Charlie Coyle’s line for their commitment to keeping the puck out of their own net.
- Expressed a desire to see that defensive “mindset” spread to every single player on the roster.
- Confirmed that Zach Werenski looked fully healthy and “good to go” despite any practice monitoring.
- Reiterated that “steadiness” is more valuable to the team right now than “swagger” or cockiness.
Brendan Gaunce
- Noted that the team felt they played 55 “really good minutes” in the previous game, despite a short lapse where they allowed three goals.
- Emphasized that the Eastern Conference standings are extremely tight, making every run of wins crucial regardless of the opponent.
- Clarified that while the team was aware of Buffalo’s 10-game winning streak, it wasn’t a primary focus or “bulletin board” motivation.
- Attributed the recent success, four wins in five games, to sticking with their process and having a repeatable game plan every night.
- Mentioned that the team’s play hasn’t actually changed much from their earlier struggles; they are simply capitalizing on more chances and getting timely bounces now.
Jet Greaves
- Described the game as an “exciting test” against a team as talented as Buffalo during its hot streak.
- Felt the group did a great job “answering the bell” and maintained a strong effort for the full 60 minutes.
- Noted that the team defended very well, specifically highlighting effective box-outs and rebound control.
- Credited the penalty kill’s success to a high level of “cohesiveness” and everyone understanding their specific roles.
- Emphasized that the key to locking down a lead in the third period is keeping the game simple and advancing zones with the puck.
- Observed that if the team plays the right way defensively, their skill and offensive chances naturally follow.
Zach Werenski
- Credited the team’s success on the penalty kill to everyone being “on the same page,” which has cleared up earlier miscommunications.
- Noted that the PK unit is no longer “compounding mistakes,” allowing them to be more patient and effective.
- Felt that the penalty kill was a major reason the team was able to secure such a decisive 5-1 victory.
- Observed that the team has moved from reacting to opponents to being more aggressive and “dictating the pace” themselves.
- Highlighted the team’s depth, mentioning that having veteran players in bottom-six roles makes the group significantly stronger than last year.
- Expressed how “incredible” it was and what an “honor” it is to officially get the call to represent Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more!
Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News and never miss a story.
Let us know what you think below.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
