On the scoreboard, everything seemed to go the Buffalo Sabres way in the second period as they would score three goals to take a commanding 3-0 lead. However, even though they are in line for the win, they could have suffered big losses as Mattias Samuelsson and Olen Zellweger left the game with injuries and didn't return in the third period.
Samuelsson left about halfway through the second period, according to Mike Harrington from The Buffalo News, after blocking a shot by Luca Pinelli. Harrington did note that Samuelsson returned to the ice for one shift but that would be the end of his night.
Last season was a breakout season for Samuelsson, with 13 goals and 28 assists and emerging as a key part of their blueline. One of the reasons he was successful was that he was healthy for most of the season for the first time in his career. He would finish playing in 78 regular-season games after averaging only 50 games per season the prior four seasons.
As for Zellweger, he left after taking a hit from Carson Soucy later in the second period. He would need help getting up and heading to the locker room. This was his first game with the Buffalo Sabres, preseason or regular season, after they traded for him in the summer.
Soucy hit on Zellweger. Zellweger needed help getting to the room #LetsGoBuffalo #CBJ pic.twitter.com/z2Lc68G9K8
— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) September 23, 2026
Zellweger is expected to have a big role on this blueline and potentially be a replacement for Bowen Byram.
UPDATE: After the game, head coach Lindy Ruff provided an update on both Mattias Samuelsson and Olen Zellweger. For Samuelsson, he will be evaluated tomorrow and that will provide a better idea of the timeline. As for Zellweger, he suffered a concussion, and similar to Samuelsson, they will have a better idea tomorrow of how long he might be out.
How might the Buffalo Sabres replace Mattias Samuelsson or Olen Zellweger if they miss time?
The absence of both leaves the Sabres shorthanded in this game. as they have only four defensemen for the final period. While it isn't ideal, hopefully the Sabres are just being cautious with both players, and neither injury is long-term or risks their availability for the beginning of the season, which is just over a week away.
If either player misses time, then Zach Metsa immediately steps into a regular spot in the lineup with Louis Crevier probably moving up to the second pair to play with Owen Power. However, the Sabres would then probably need to keep another player who might have been heading to Rochester.
Among that group, Ryan Johnson seems like the favorite to stay in Buffalo but Vsevolod Komarov could be an option as well. One player who probably won't be considered is former first-round pick Radim Mrtka, who struggled in the preseason game last night against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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