The Columbus Blue Jackets will play a more traditional home opener tonight against the Buffalo Sabres.
The Jackets are back home tonight to take on the Buffalo Sabres at Nationwide Arena. Tonight will be more of a traditional home opener which will include the plaza party and player intros.
There will be a few changes tonight due to injury. Erik Gudbranson was put on IR and will miss a few games. Elvis Merzļikins wasn't put on IR but was deemed to have suffered an upper-body injury. They have called up Jet Greaves on an emergency basis. Justin Danforth could return tonight as Dylan Gambrell was put on waivers for the purpose of assignment to Cleveland.
The Buffalo Sabres come into Columbus after having played in a wild 6-5 overtime loss in Pittsburgh last night.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was in the net and gave up 6 goals, so Devon Levi should get the start for Buffalo.
Series History vs. The Sabres
- Columbus is 11-8-1 at home vs. the Sabres all-time. They're also 25-15-4 all-time.
- The Jackets are 13-6-3 in the last 22 games.
- Buffalo has won three straight games inside NWA.
Who To Watch For The Sabres
- Alex Tuch has 6 points in his first five games.
- Tage Thompson has 3 goals on the season.
- Devon Levi is 1-1 on the season with a .919 save %.
CBJ Player Notes vs. The Sabres
- Yegor Chinakhov has 5 points in 7 games vs. the Sabres.
- Adam Fantilli has 3 points in 2 career games.
- Sean Monahan has 22 points in 22 games.
- James van Riemsdyk has 30 points in 52 career games vs. Buffalo.
Injuries
- Erik Gudbranson (upper body) is on Injured Reserve.
- Boone Jenner (upper body) is on Injured Reserve.
- Dmitri Voronkov (upper body) is on Injured Reserve.
- Gavin Brindley (broken finger) is on Injured Reserve.
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 12
How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be on Bally Sports Ohio. Steve Mears will be on the play-by-play. The radio broadcast will be on 97.1 The Fan with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play.
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