Sandwiched between the two preseason games against the Pittsburgh Penguins was a home preseason match against the Columbs Blue Jackets. The game at Keybank Arena saw the Sabres take home a 6-1 victory. There were positive signs, and can they carry some of that into the regular season in a few weeks?
Questions have swirled this offseason as to the future and status of forward Peyton Krebs. With starter Alex Tuch, off for the evening, Krebs took full adventage. He added both a goal and an assist. He will be fighting for ice time throughout the season and may be on the trade block soon.
Krebs understand the situation he is entering the season and spoke to reporters after the game. “I’m going to play the same way whenever I am,” Krebs said. “Bring my work ethic, try to dish the puck around. I think it shows that I can play there but just got to keep momentum going from there and keep working.”
Zach Benson who had a standout rookie campaign for Buffalo last year also had a goal and assist
The left winger should factor into the second or third line throughout the beginning parts of the season.
As Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is solidified as the starting goalie, the battle for the backup has been playing out this preseason. The battle between James Reimer and young goalie Devon Levi has been heating up. Against the Blue Jackets, Levi demonstrated he might win out the position. He had 25 saves throughout the game.
Said Levi after the game, "It was great to be back into a game. Just the competitiveness, just reading plays."
It was a dominating win against the Blue Jackets and as a young team is looking to find both its rhythm and confidence it may be only preseason but an important step forward.