Buffalo Sabres Final Preseason Tilt: Columbus Blue Jackets

The Buffalo Sabres will close out their preseason action tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets. there are some high expectations that will come with tonight’s tilt, as coach Dan Bylsma has stated that tonight’s roster will look very close to what we can expect opening night (sabres.com). With that, we can once again expect Jack Eichel and Ryan O’Reilly to be in the lineup, but the question is which one will be centering Evander Kane and Tyler Ennis?

Related – Are the Sabres This Good Or Just Lucky?

The Buffalo Sabres have been a solid team this offseason; there is no denying that. The offense has been scoring, the team has been developing chemistry, and the young players are stepping up. All the signs so far are pointing to a successful upswing from last season.

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Everything that the Sabres have needed to address has been. At the forefront of this success are forwards Tyler Ennis, Evander Kane, and Jack Eichel. Now I know the entire offseason and preseason has been “Eichel this,” and “Eichel that,” but there is a reason we are talking so much about him. All of the hype surrounding this kid up to his drafting is finally being put to the test.

Each test that Eichel has faced in the preseason and training camp, he has passed and aced in many ways. He is showing the coach, Tim Murray, and ultimately the fans that he is everything we wanted and needed… plus more. Eichel has been scoring goals, playing a leadership role, and contributing in every way possible. There has not yet been a disappointment in his game. He is competing like he still needs to earn a spot on this team, when in reality, he is more talented and capable to be on this team than most of the others.

Tyler Ennis has been an offensive catalyst in every aspect. He has more of a jump in his step, his speed seems to have gone up, his compete level is higher, and his scoring touch has certainly not been lost. He is making the best case possible to be the other top line wing besides Evander Kane. I expect Ennis to only push more each game to outcompete Kane and score more points than him.

Evander Kane has still got a few things to smooth out and prove before he is adored by Sabres fans. His locker room history will keep many people weary to his shenanigans, but I think his on-ice production will sway people in his direction faster. Kane has acted as a pure goal scorer in the preseason so far, and he is proving to everyone that he really was worth the price paid for him.

The Buffalo Sabres play their last preseason game tonight and it is the last chance for young players to step up, and for the bubble players to play their hearts out. There is no more room for slacking or “good enough” on this team, and Dan Bylsma has made that very clear by which players he awards with ice time.

The Sabres game will be televised tonight on MSG for anyone who was wondering.

For the last time before the season starts, I’ll say this… LET’S GO BUFFALO!

Next: Sabres Opponent Outlook: Penguins

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