3 takeaways from the Buffalo Sabres 5-2 win over the Blue Jackets

The Buffalo Sabres were looking to bounce back after a deflating 2-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday. They certainly did that as the Sabres would take a 2-1 lead at the end of the first period and didn't let up with three goals in the second period to win 5-2 over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

This was certainly a statement game for the Buffalo Sabres, but also for several players. The Sabres got back Jiri Kulich and Conor Timmins from injuries, and the Sabres would make Ryan McLeod and Louis Crevier healthy scratches to get those other players in the lineup.

With the win, the Sabres have their first home win since October 12th against the Florida Panthers and get their record back to .500. Meanwhile, they improve their overall record to 8-5-3, and these are three takeaways from the game on Friday night.

Josh Norris heard Lindy Ruff's message loud and clear

With Jiri Kulich set to return, it felt like it was going to be either Ryan McLeod or Josh Norris who would be bumped from the lineup. The Sabres ultimately went with McLeod as the healthy scratch, but there was still plenty of pressure on Norris to play better.

Prior to the game against the Blue Jackets, Lindy Ruff was asked about his thoughts on Norris at this point in the season. "I will tell you I have spent a lot of time with him," Ruff said. "I would like to see the chances go up; I'd like to see the puck possession go up."

The veteran forward certainly took the message to heart and responded with not one but two goals against the Blue Jackets. In the first period, Norris took the pass from Owen Power in the offensive zone and waited for Jet Greaves to give him an opening. He eventually did and was able to shoot it through the five-hole.

Then in the second period, Zach Benson made a great play behind the net and found Norris right in front of the net. Norris once again was patient and carried the puck around Greaves for his second goal of the night.

Norris entered this game with only two goals on the season and hadn't scored in six straight games. While one game doesn't completely erase the bad start to the season, it is a great first step.

Sabres with arguably their best second period at home this season

The Buffalo Sabres have struggled in the second period this season, and specifically have struggled in this period at home. Entering the game Friday night, the Sabres have scored only four goals in the second period, while opponents have scored 10.

However, against the Blue Jackets, they would score three goals alone in this period, and it really helped them take control of the game. It started with Rasmus Dahlin taking a one-timer from the blue line to push the Sabres' lead to 3-1.

Josh Norris would then score his second of the night, and about a minute after that, Josh Doan scored after the puck deflected up and off his glove to go in for the goal.

Last season, the Sabres were excellent in the second period at home and had a goal differential of +19. There is no question that winning the second period gives them a great chance to get two points, like they did against Columbus.

Buffalo Sabres shuffle their defensive pairs against the Blue Jackets

The Buffalo Sabres got Conor Timmins back for the first time this season after suffering an injury in the preseason. Timmins would replace Louis Crevier in the lineup, and entering the game, he was expected to be paired with Zach Metsa.

However, Ruff had other plans and was regularly shuffling the pairs throughout the game against the Blackhawks. For example, Timmins had 6:25 minutes with Owen Power and 4:09 with Mattias Samuelsson. As for Olen Zellweger, who has been almost exclusively paired with Power, he had over eight minutes of ice time with Zach Metsa but only 3:28 with Power.

The approach the Sabres took certainly seemed to work, as the Blue Jackets really didn't get much offense in this game, with only 16 scoring chances in 5v5 situations, which was the fourth-lowest total allowed this season. With how well it worked, don't be surprised if the Sabres stick with this approach against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday.

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