Columbus Blue Jackets @ Buffalo Sabers: 2026 Preseason Game 2 Recap

This game didn't end as the Columbus Blue Jackets wanted. They fell in this game 5-1. That said, the Buffalo Sabers did put many of their stars on the ice tonight, whereas the Columbus Blue Jackets continued with more of a split squad. The opening period was by far the best for the Blue Jackets. Cam Talbot got his first start in net since joining the Blue Jackets last week, and he put on a show. The Sabers had 11 shots on goal, and he denied every single one. Another highlight this period for our Columbus team was that they gave the Sabers three chances on the power play, but denied them scoring each time. This period would end with a 0-0 tie, but that quickly changed over the span of just over two minutes in period 2. 

The Blue Jackets would get caught in their end too long, and at 10:12, Josh Norris would cash in with the first goal of his preseason. Owen Power and Konsta Helenius would each add their first assists of the season on the goal. A little over a minute later, at 11:54, Noah Ostlund would add his first preseason goal, taking his Sabers up 2-0 at home. Teammate Zach Benson would add his first assist of the preseason on this goal, while Owen Power would add his second of the night and preseason. Seconds later, Noah Ostlund would put himself on hat trick watch with his second goal of the night and preseason, and Zach Benson would get the assist, giving him two tonight and this preseason. Thankfully, that's where the scoring would stop for the Sabers, but the Blue Jackets would have no answer for their opponents' three-goal surge in the middle of the middle period. Another bit of unfortunate news. Mikael Pyyhhtia would leave with an injjury, lower body, and it would be announced early into the final regulation period that he wouldn't return. I hope he's alright. 

3:53 into period 3, Conner Timmins would add his first goal of the preseason, bringing us to a 4-0 Sabers lead. Tage Thompson and Jack Quinn would each gain their first assists of the preseason on this goal. At 14:30, Tage Thompson would add a goal to his assist in this period, his first goal of the preseason, too. Josh Doan would earn his first assist on this goal, while Owen Power would add his third of the night and the preseason. The Blue Jackets' defenseman, Corson Ceuleman, would spoil the Sabers' shutout with his first goal of the preseason at 10:19! Dimitri Voronkov and B Buckberger would each add their first assists of the preseason on this goal. This would be the final goal of the game, bringing us to a 5-1 Sabers over Blue Jackets, final. 

Cam Talbot went 23/26, giving him an .885 save percentage across the first two periods of play. 

Evan Gardner went 7/9, giving him a .778 save percentage across the final period of regulation. 

The Stars of the Game were all Sabers. Conner Timmins was the 3rd Star with a 1-0-1 night. Josh Norris got the 2nd Star with a 1-0-1 night. Noah Ostlund got the 1st Star of the night with a 2-0-2.  

Again, a lot of superstars for our Blue Jackets weren't in this game. With the short preseason also comes a new rule that veteran players can only appear in 2 of the 4 games. So, on the 24th and 26th, we'll see more starters. That said, for this being most of the Sabres' regular roster vs. a mixed squad for our Blue Jackets, I don't think they played badly, especially in that first period. The Pittsburgh Penguins will be in Columbus Thursday night for a puck drop at 7:00 p.m. Again, check my social media pages on Facebook and X for any updates!  

Go CBJ!