The Buffalo Sabres got a much-needed win over the Columbus Blue Jackets after their loss to the Ottawa Senators. It wasn't just the fact they won but how they did as they controlled the game pretty much from start to finish and won 5-2. This was the first game this season that they won by three or more goals.
These types of games are usually won by the team, or multiple players step up in a big way. That was the case against the Blue Jackets, and these are five players who really stood out for their individual performances.
Josh Norris
There is no question that Josh Norris has been one of the more talked-about players on the Sabres but against the Blue Jackets, it was for a very different reason. The simple fact is that Norris has not played well to begin the season and probably was in jeopardy of being a healthy scratch if he didn't turn it around.
Well, at least for one game, he was able to make an impact, and this hopefully is the beginning of something and not just a one-time thing. Norris finished the game with two goals and matched his season total in that category.
There are still a few concerns with Norris, most notably in the faceoff circle with a win percentage of only 27% against Columbus, but the good definitely outweighed the bad in this game.
Owen Power
One player who has gotten off to a great start this season is Owen Power and he added to this career season with another stellar performance. On Friday night, he led the team in assists with three on the night, including an assist on each of the Sabres' first-period goals.
It has been a remarkable season for Power, and this was now his fifth multi-point game of the season after he had only three all of last season. This game would also be his first three-point game since March 17th, 2025.
Conor Timmins
Conor Timmins made his season debut after suffering an injury in the preseason and made an immediate impact for the Sabres with over 15 minutes of ice time, but more importantly, over three minutes on the penalty kill.
Timmins finished the game with an assist, two blocked shots and a hit.
While the Sabres did give up a power-play goal, it was very late in the game in the third period, and at that point the game was already decided. On the other two penalty kills, the Sabres looked pretty good and limited the Blue Jackets' chances.
Jack Quinn
Another game, another Jack Quinn goal. That seems to be the feeling at this point that Quinn is going to score every game and he has been close to that pace as of late with seven goals in nine games.
Quinn's goal was the first of the game and seemingly set the tone for the Buffalo Sabres. On the play, Quinn took a shot but followed it right to the front of the net, was able to control his own rebound and then got another shot off and this time it went in.
Quinner cleaning up! 🧹#LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/lpfExhFzUz
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) November 7, 2026
Quinn would also add an assist in this game on Josh Doan's goal in the second period and was one of three players on the night (Norris and Power) leading the team in +/- at +3.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
After a rough start to the season, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has settled in and played much better as of late. After allowing only two goals to the Los Angeles Kings, he finished this game by stopping 24 of 26 shots but one of those goals was the power-play goal in the closing minutes of the third period.
Over his last two starts, Luukkonen has a goals saved above average of 1.99, which is the third-best average in the entire NHL, according to Natural Stat Trick.
With the eventual return of Alex Lyon, and the improved play by Luukkonen and Colten Ellis, the goaltending position may not be as big of an issue as it was earlier in the season.
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