Columbus traveled north last night to take on the worst team in the Eastern Conference, the Buffalo Sabres. Columbus had to be considered the favorite, with Alexander Wennberg returning to the lineup from IR after missing 9 games. Also, Buffalo was starting Linus Ullmark, an AHL All Star goaltender with little NHL experience.
First Period
Buffalo opened the stanza on the front foot, registering five of the first seven shots on goal. Jack Eichel and Justin Falk saw tight chances turned aside by Sergei Bobrovsky early. Of note, Boone Jenner was taking faceoffs for Alexander Wennberg.