Josh Norris scored twice as the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2 on November 6 at KeyBank Center, handing Columbus their third consecutive loss in back-to-back games. The Blue Jackets also suffered injuries to forwards Sean Monahan and Dmitri Voronkov, who both left the game and did not return.
The Sabres carried momentum from their shootout win over Dallas the night before, taking control after a close first period. Columbus led briefly when Kent Johnson tied the score 1-1 late in the opening frame, but Norris quickly restored Buffalo's lead with a shot through goalie Jet Greaves’ pads. That goal shifted the game’s energy firmly in Buffalo’s favor.
Rasmus Dahlin’s one-timer from above the right circle early in the second period extended the Sabres’ lead to 3-1. Dahlin's shot, clocked at over 95 miles per hour off a feed from Peyton Krebs, found the top right corner of the net. This goal came as Buffalo dominated possession and outshot Columbus 37-26 over the course of the game.
Jack Quinn and Josh Doan also scored for Buffalo, with Owen Power assisting on the first three goals. Ten different Sabres players registered points, illustrating the team’s depth in attack. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 24 saves to secure the win.
Columbus got goals from Johnson and Zach Werenski, the latter scoring a power-play goal late in the third period that served as a consolation. Greaves, who has now lost four straight starts, faced a barrage of pressure and conceded goals that were sometimes the result of difficult defensive situations rather than clear mistakes.
The Blue Jackets lineup saw some changes ahead of the game. Monahan was promoted to the top line, centering the group that included Valeri Nichushkin and Conor Garland, while Adam Fantilli moved to the second line. Rookies Jack Williams and veteran Steven Lorentz were recalled from the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters, replacing Luca Del Bel Belluz and Ryan Lomberg.
Monahan assisted on Johnson’s goal but left the game late in the second period with a lower-body injury after blocking a shot. Voronkov exited in the third with an apparent upper-body injury. Their status remains unconfirmed following the match, but their losses add to Columbus’ challenges as they try to end their recent slide.
The Sabres’ dominance in the second period set the tone for the rest of the game. Luukkonen’s save early in the third against a wrist shot from Coyle preserved Buffalo’s four-goal lead. Werenski’s late power-play goal for Columbus was too little too late.
Columbus will next face the Florida Panthers on October 10 at Nationwide Arena, returning home after a 7-3 loss to the same team at the same venue earlier in the season. The Blue Jackets will be looking to regroup after this defeat and the injuries suffered to key forwards.
Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch contributed to this report.
According to Yahoo Sports.
