The Buffalo Sabres are set to begin the 2026-27 season with a road game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. They are set to try and accomplish something they haven't had the chance to do since the 2011-12 season, and that is to make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.
The Sabres snapped their playoff drought last season after finishing with 109 points, a 30-point increase over the prior season, and winning the Atlantic Division. It certainly won't be easy with how much the division has improved this offseason, and the Sabres are hoping that their younger players are ready to make up for the losses of Alex Tuch and Bowen Byram.
While it is a new season, the Sabres can't forget what happened last season when they played in Columbus. That game was back on January 3rd, when the Sabres ended up losing 5-1 and snapping their 10-game win streak and their chance to set a new franchise record.
The Sabres have not had much success recently in the season opener as they have lost their first game in each of the last three seasons. If they hope to end that streak this season, these are three players who will be key to their success.
Tage Thompson
The loss of Alex Tuch doesn't necessarily fall on one player to replace the production, but there is added pressure on Tage Thompson this season to lead. He has been consistently their top goal scorer for a few seasons now and will probably need to do even more this season.
One way he can help his cause and give himself a chance at his first 50-goal season is by scoring early in the season. In fact, in his career he has scored in the first game of the season only once, which was back in 2021.
Thompson has been historically a slow starter to the season, but getting off to a fast start won't only help him but also take pressure off some of the other forwards on the team.
Louis Crevier
The Buffalo Sabres already have ruled out Olen Zellweger for this game, but he could return for the home opener on Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Zellweger was expected to be paired with Owen Power this season, but Louis Crevier has a chance to show he deserves that spot in the Top 4.
Crevier joined the Sabres as part of the return from the Chicago Blackhawks for Bowen Byram. The big defenseman is coming off a career season in which he appeared in 78 games with 25 points and 124 hits while averaging over 17 minutes per game in ice time.
He should be a regular part of their blueline most nights, but the question is whether it will be on the second pair with Owen Power or on the third pair with Matt Grzelcyk or Connor Timmins, who is currently on injured reserve. This is a great opportunity for Crevier to show he fits well next to Owen Power and force the coaching staff to stick with it, even after Zellweger returns.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Among the players on the ice for the Buffalo Sabres against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen might have the most to prove. The Sabres goalie is coming off a career season but struggled in the playoffs. That opened the door to rumors over the summer about the Sabres being interested in Connor Hellebuyck.
The relationship between Hellebuyck and the Jets hasn't gotten better and, at this point, is more likely to be traded than not. The question is where he will end up, and Luukkonen has a chance to quiet some of that noise by getting off to a fast start.
There were some concerns about whether Luukkonen would be available for this game after leaving in the third period of the final preseason game due to an injury. He has returned to practice and should be the starter to open the season for the Buffalo Sabres.
If he puts together a great game, it not only will help him and his spot with the Buffalo Sabres but can help the team build momentum right from the start of the season.
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