Sabres at Blue Jackets | How to watch, lineup notes, and storylines | Buffalo Sabres
Storylines
1. The young guys
The Sabres will be counting on steps taken by a trio of exciting young forwards: Jiri Kulich, Konsta Helenius, and Noah Ostlund.
Kulich is healthy after missing most of last season with a blood clot, which he had surgically removed in March. At this time last year, the Sabres had him slated to be one of their top centermen.
Ostlund and Helenius, meanwhile, both emerged as key pieces last season. Ostlund impressed so much with his two-way game that he was rewarded with an eight-year contract last month. Helenius got a cup of coffee during the regular season, then looked like a veteran when called upon during the playoffs.
“It’s going to be fun to watch,” Rasmus Dahlin said. “They’ve worked really hard, especially this summer. They’re bigger, they’re older, they’re more experienced. They’ve been through a playoffs. I’m excited to see what they can bring and I’m sure they’re going to have a hell of a year this year.”
2. Crevier’s debut
Buffalo’s two key offseason acquisitions were both on defense. While Zellweger is out with a concussion, Louis Crevier is slated to make his team debut following an impressive preseason.
Crevier – a 6-foot-8, right-shot defenseman acquired from Chicago – tied for the Sabres lead with eight shots in two preseason games. He practiced Wednesday on a pair with Owen Power.
“His first puck play was almost always the right play,” Ruff said of Crevier’s preseason. “He got a lot of pucks to the net in the offensive zone. He jumped in a couple times nicely to add some offense. But I think first and foremost you look at his defending and I thought his defending was good.”
3. Scouting the Blue Jackets
Columbus is days removed from the blockbuster trade that sent last year’s leading goal scorer, Kirill Marchenko, to Toronto in exchange for Matthew Knies.
Knies, a 6-foot-3 power forward who’s surpassed 20 goals in each of the past two seasons, joins a lineup headlined by reigning Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski and 21-year-old center Adam Fantilli.