SABRES (2-0-0) at BLUE JACKETS (0-2-0) 7 p.m. ET; FS-O, MSG-B, NHL.TV
Buffalo hadn't won their first two games since the 2012-13 season and can match the 3-0-0 start of 11 seasons ago when the Sabres won their first four and went unbeaten in their first eight games (6-0-2). Columbus last lost its first two games in 2016-17 before winning the third. The Blue Jackets haven't started 0-3-0 since 2015-16 when they went 0-8-0. Todd Richards was fired after the seventh game and current coach John Tortorella was hired. The Blue Jackets lost three or more consecutive games twice last season, going 0-5-0 from Jan. 18-Feb. 2 and 0-2-1 from March 16-21.
Players to watch
Sabres forward Jack Eichel has 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in 12 games against the Blue Jackets, including seven points (three goals, four assists) in six games in Columbus. Blue Jackets forward Cam Atkinson has eight points (four goals, four assists) and is plus-6 in his past six games vs. the Sabres.
They said it
"We're just in the beginning here of building our culture with Ralph in front. We've done a good job so far, but we don't take anything for granted." --Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark on new coach Ralph Krueger "There's no panic right now. It's a process. It's good that we can check ourselves right now at the door this early in the season and really figure it out so we can start rolling." -- Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones
Ullmark will make his first start of the season. … Milano will replace Anderson, who was injured Saturday in a 7-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. … Nutivaara will replace Kukan after being a healthy scratch Saturday. … Korpisalo will start after backing up Merzlikins against the Penguins.
Stat pack
Krueger can become the first coach to win his first three games with Sabres. … Skinner has 20 points (11 goals, nine assists) in 26 games against the Blue Jackets. He has 199 assists in the NHL. … Bjorkstrand will play his 200th NHL game. … Jenner needs one point for 200 (102 goals, 97 assists) in the NHL.
