Storylines
1. Among the best
Buffalo has yet to lose in preseason play, making the Sabres one of just five NHL teams (Detroit, New York Rangers, Carolina, Dallas) still unbeaten entering the final days leading up to the start of the regular season.
Additionally, the Sabres have outscored their opponents, 19-8. Add in the win over Red Bull Munich from the Sabres NHL group and it swells to a 24-8 goal differential.
2. Finding ways to win
Rochester Americans head coach Michael Leone has led the Sabres to two wins in two different ways on the week thus far. On Tuesday in Pittsburgh, the Sabres clung to a third period lead and shut down any hopes for the Penguins’ offense. Two nights later, Buffalo found itself down by a goal with under a minute to spare, yet found the equalizer and went on to win the game.
“I loved the way we played,” said Leone when describing the two wins this week. “I think there’s a lot to take from each game. You just have to stick with it sometimes and keep playing. The bench has been great. There’s never a dull moment.”
So far this preseason, the Sabres are finding ways to win games in different ways.
3. Watch for the cannon
Columbus will get the chance to host Buffalo after the team visited the Sabres earlier in the week, where Buffalo controlled the game en route to a 6-1 victory. Since then, the Blue Jackets have put up 11 goals over two games, winning both, including an 8-4 win against Washington last night.
In Columbus’ win against the Capitals, Adam Fantilli recorded a hat trick. The forward was taken third overall by the Blue Jackets in 2023. Fantilli skated in 49 NHL games a season ago, scoring 27 points (12+15) in the process.
