Buffalo Sabres (1-3-1) at Columbus  Blue Jackets (1-2-0)
Nationwide Arena – 7:00 p.m.

Previous game for both:
– The Blue Jackets fell 4-3 at home Tuesday to the Florida Panthers, who are the defending Stanley Cup champions. 
– The Sabres lost 6-5 in overtime at Pittsburgh Wednesday night. Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby scored the game-winner in OT.

Players to watch:
– For the Blue Jackets
   – Yegor Chinakhov (#59) – Chinakov leads the club with five points (one goal and four assists) and is +4 while on the ice
   – Kent Johnson (#91) – Johnson’s off-season work added strength and speed, which he has demonstrated in the first three games, posting two goals and two assists.
– For the Sabres
   – Alex Tuch (#89) – Tuch  is on a four-game point streak. He came to Buffalo three years ago as part of the trade that sent Jack Eichel to Las Vegas.
   – Tage Thompson (#72) – Thompson has three goals to start the season. Columbus fans remember him for his Dec. 7, 2022 five-goal performance against the Jackets.

Back with the CBJ tonight:
– Goalie Jet Greaves has been recalled on an emergency basis from Cleveland because Elvis Merzlikins is out of the lineup.
– Winger Justin Danforth will return to the ice tonight. He was unable to take part in training camp and the preseason with a wrist injury.

Honoring Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau:
The Blue Jackets are honoring the memory of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, during the 2024-25 season with a special “13 & 21” helmet sticker and “13” patch on their jerseys.

Pre-game helmets:
Some CBJ players are now opting not to wear helmets during the pre-game skate. Players who entered NHL play after the 2019-20 season are required to wear them. Players starting out before that are grandfathered out.

Trivia Question:
Who are the two most recent players to take the ice for both the Blue Jackets and the Sabres?
See the answer in tonight’s game story