CBJ BUF preview

BLUE JACKETS (27-16-8) at SABRES (22-22-7)
1 p.m. ET; SN, MSG-B, FS-O, NHL.TV

The Blue Jackets, who are playing their first game following their League-mandated break, have outscored opponents 20-6 and recorded three shutouts during the streak. They are 16-2-4 in their past 22 games
The Sabres have lost three straight after winning three in a row. They are 5-8-0 in their past 13 games.
Players to watch
Blue Jackets forward Oliver Bjorkstrand has scored two goals in each of his past three games and has nine goals in his past six games.
Sabres center Jack Eichel has 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in his past 11 games.

They said it

"Now is the time where you see teams take a step up [in the standings] and take a step down, and you want to be that team that steps up. We were playing really well before the break, but now is the most important part of the season." -- Blue Jackets forward Pierre-Luc Dubois
"We've been through these times where we take a couple of hits at this time of the year, when it seems like it's critical games, we take a couple of hits and then all of a sudden the wheels fall off. That's not happening here. I think that's probably the biggest message that has been sent to the locker room. You're going to take punches, it's a tough league. Every team's competitive every night. You've just got to start finding ways to win hockey games. That's honestly what it all comes down to."-- Sabres captain Jack Eichel

Blue Jackets projected lineup
Sabres projected lineup
Status report

Okposo was being evaluated Friday and will not play against Columbus. … Montour is expected to play after missing practice Friday due to a maintenance day. … Forward Josh Anderson practiced with the Blue Jackets on Friday but is not expected to face the Sabres.

Stat pack

Atkinson is two goals from 200 in the NHL. … Wennberg is one point away from 200. … Reinhart has 12 points (six goals, six assists) in his past 12 games.