Buffalo Sabres vs. Blue Jackets preseason game preview

The Buffalo Sabres kick off the 2018 preseason as they travel to Ohio to face the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first game of the preseason for both teams.

It has been a busy week for the Sabres as training camp opened last week with media day followed by the team’s first full practices and scrimmages.

The theme of media day and the first few days of camp for the Buffalo Sabres has been working hard and creating a culture of success:

“There’s a lot of new people in here. I think there’s a new mindset, there’s a new standard and I think you’ll see a different group of guys with the way we conduct ourselves and handle ourselves.” – Jack Eichel

There are a lot of guys fighting for position in the both the forward and defenseman groups:

“The competition is great. You can’t slack off. Any day. Someone is going to be there to take your spot.” – Evan Rodrigues

Tonight’s roster will feature two new forwards who came over in the Ryan O’Reilly trade. Newly acquired Tage Thompson and Patrik Berglund are expected to play on a line tonight with Alexander Nylander.

Berglund is expected to center the third line for the Sabres when the season starts in October while Thompson will be part of a group battling for one of the final 6 forward spots. Nylander is coming off of a great Prospects Challenge and a strong training camp could land a roster spot for the 2016 first round draft pick.

One of the highlights on defense tonight will be Brendan Guhle. Guhle, who has played 21 games with the Sabres over the past 2 seasons, is coming off a productive season with the Rochester Americans and is in a similar situation as Nylander as a good training camp could see him in contention for one of the final defenseman spots. Brendan Guhle was on the Prospects Challenge roster but only played in 1 game.

We unfortunately will not be seeing first overall pick and Calder Trophy hopeful Rasmus Dahlin. Head coach Phil Housley has not been tipping his hand as when Dahlin will make his debut this preseason but there is a good chance he can be on the ice in Buffalo on Tuesday night when the Sabres face the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The goaltenders tonight for the Buffalo Sabres will be “goaltender of the future” Linus Ullmark, who is slated right now to split time with Carter Hutton this upcoming season, and Jonas Johansson.

The Columbus Blue Jackets, fresh off giving a two year contract extension to head coach John Tortorella, will be without left wing Artemi Panarin who is nursing a neck strain. For the most part, the Blue Jackets roster will be made up of AHL players tonight.

Tonight’s game starts at 7:00 and can be heard on WGR 550 and streamed at bluejackets.com. Also of note, Sam Reinhart is still without a contract.

What Sabres are you excited to see (or hear about) tonight? Let us know in the comment section below?