Sabres at Blue Jackets | How to watch, lineup notes, and storylines

Lindy Ruff has heard the excitement circulating throughout the Buffalo Sabres’ dressing room as teams around the NHL opened their seasons over the past two days.

“Some guys watched a little bit and obviously there’s highlights going around,” Ruff said. “The feeling is, let’s get this thing started. Let’s get it started the right way.”

The Sabres get their turn tonight in Columbus, marking the start of a new season with heightened expectations. Last year’s club shocked its way to an Atlantic Division title and the franchise’s first playoff series win in nearly two decades.

The message from Ruff and general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen entering this season: Last year was pretty good, but not good enough. The goal is the Stanley Cup, and this year’s Sabres won’t be afforded the opportunity to sneak up on anyone.

“We’ve had meetings and talked about that we’re not going to surprise anybody,” Ruff said. “Nobody’s going to take us for granted. We’re going to get a lot of respect for the year we put in. I think teams around us have improved, which at the same time is going to make it more difficult than it was last year.

“There’s a lot of elements that we’ve talked that, now, the expectations are higher. With success comes those expectations and that’s where you want to be.”

It all starts with the 7 p.m. puck drop against the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. Here’s what you need to know heading into tonight’s game.

How to watch

TV (Sabres broadcast market): MSG (Pregame coverage begins at 6:30 p.m.)

Streaming (Sabres broadcast market): DAZN

Streaming (out of market): ESPN+

Radio: WGR 550 / Buffalo Sabres App

More ways to watch/listen to Sabres games

Lineup notes

The Sabres have been dealing with a handful of injuries to their defense corps in training camp.

The developments have been positive regarding Mattias Samuelsson, who sustained a lower-body injury while blocking a shot on Sept. 22. Samuelsson returned to practice with the team on Wednesday and, assuming there are no setbacks as a result of practice, could be in the lineup for the Sabres tonight. Dennis Gilbert was recalled Thursday morning in case Samuelsson can't play.

Newly acquired defenseman Olen Zellweger, however, has yet to clear concussion protocol, was placed on injured reserve and will have to wait to make his Sabres debut. He has not been ruled out for Saturday’s home opener against Chicago.

In goal, meanwhile, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Colten Ellis are expected to be the two active netminders with Alex Lyon still dealing with an upper-body injury. Lyon is day to day.

Stay tuned for lineup updates following the morning skate at 11:30 a.m. Here’s how the group lined up for practice on Wednesday:

Storylines

1. The young guys

The Sabres will be counting on steps taken by a trio of exciting young forwards: Jiri Kulich, Konsta Helenius, and Noah Ostlund.

Kulich is healthy after missing most of last season with a blood clot, which he had surgically removed in March. At this time last year, the Sabres had him slated to be one of their top centermen.

Ostlund and Helenius, meanwhile, both emerged as key pieces last season. Ostlund impressed so much with his two-way game that he was rewarded with a six-year contract last month. Helenius got a cup of coffee during the regular season, then looked like a veteran when called upon during the playoffs.

“It’s going to be fun to watch,” Rasmus Dahlin said. “They’ve worked really hard, especially this summer. They’re bigger, they’re older, they’re more experienced. They’ve been through a playoffs. I’m excited to see what they can bring and I’m sure they’re going to have a hell of a year this year.”

2. Crevier’s debut

Buffalo’s two key offseason acquisitions were both on defense. While Zellweger is out with a concussion, Louis Crevier is slated to make his team debut following an impressive preseason.

Crevier – a 6-foot-8, right-shot defenseman acquired from Chicago – tied for the Sabres lead with eight shots in two preseason games. He practiced Wednesday on a pair with Owen Power.

“His first puck play was almost always the right play,” Ruff said of Crevier’s preseason. “He got a lot of pucks to the net in the offensive zone. He jumped in a couple times nicely to add some offense. But I think first and foremost you look at his defending and I thought his defending was good.”

3. Scouting the Blue Jackets

Columbus is days removed from the blockbuster trade that sent last year’s leading goal scorer, Kirill Marchenko, to Toronto in exchange for Matthew Knies.

Knies, a 6-foot-3 power forward who’s surpassed 20 goals in each of the past two seasons, joins a lineup headlined by reigning Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski and 21-year-old center Adam Fantilli.