Blue Jackets Vs Sabres: Buffalo Looks To Stay Sharp In KeyBank Center Test
The blue jackets vs sabres matchup arrives Thursday at 7 p. m. ET at KeyBank Center, with Buffalo trying to carry momentum from Wednesday’s 5-3 comeback win in New York. Columbus comes in still alive in the wild card race despite a recent slide, while the Sabres are working on a quick turnaround in the final week of the regular season. Buffalo also enters the night with a two-point lead atop the Atlantic Division and a chance to strengthen its home-ice position.
Buffalo returns home with momentum
The Sabres used a strong third period against the Rangers to erase a 3-2 deficit after two periods. Buffalo outshot New York 8-1 in the third and finished the rally with goals from Alex Tuch, Jason Zucker and Zach Benson.
Tuch said the group got back to its game in the final period, pointing to a style that was “simple, fast, direct” and created “a little chaos in front. ” The win was Buffalo’s fourth this season when trailing after 40 minutes, a sign the club has found ways to pick up points even when it has not played its cleanest hockey.
That matters now because the Sabres are trying to keep their focus on the details while protecting their place near the top of the division. In the blue jackets vs sabres setting, Buffalo’s challenge is not only the opponent in front of it, but also the short rest after a game on Wednesday night.
Lineup note and viewing details
Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen played Wednesday in New York, so Colten Ellis is likely to get the start in net for his first appearance since Feb. 3. Alex Lyon remains unavailable for at least a week with a lower-body injury, and Jordan Greenway is back in the lineup after sitting out against the Rangers.
The Sabres’ broadcast-market TV coverage is on MSG, with pregame coverage beginning at 6: 30 p. m. ET. The club will also have its projected lineup from warmups before puck drop.
Columbus keeps chasing the postseason line
Columbus remains in the chase for a wild card spot even after a six-game losing streak. The Blue Jackets ended that slide with a late comeback in Detroit on Tuesday, and they now sit two points behind Ottawa for the second wild card position.
The schedule ahead is not forgiving. After Buffalo, Columbus still faces Montreal, Boston and Washington, which makes Thursday’s game another important stop in a stretch that could shape its postseason hopes. The blue jackets vs sabres game therefore carries meaning on both sides: Buffalo wants to keep its edge at the top of the Atlantic Division, while Columbus is trying to stay within reach of the playoff line.
What this game means next
This is also a matchup Buffalo has not solved this season. Columbus is the only Eastern Conference team the Sabres have yet to beat, with Buffalo losing in overtime on home ice in October and then seeing its 10-game winning streak end in a Jan. 3 loss at Nationwide Arena.
That history gives Thursday’s blue jackets vs sabres meeting extra weight, even with the season nearing its finish. Buffalo will try to build on the energy from its comeback in New York, while Columbus looks to turn a survival push into one more step toward the postseason.
