Blue Jackets and Sabres meet for 2026 season opener

No longer ‘surprise’ team, Sabres open season against new-look Blue Jackets

The start of last season looked like it might be another disappointing one for the Buffalo Sabres. They opened with three straight losses and won only four of their first 11 games in October. Two months later, they were three games under .500, last in the Eastern Conference and hadn't won more than two in

Blue Jackets and Sabres meet for 2026 season opener

The Columbus Blue Jackets host the Buffalo Sabres for the season opener

No longer 'surprise' team, Sabres open season against new-look Blue Jackets

(Photo credit: Timothy T. Ludwig)The start of last season looked like it might be another disappointing one for the Buffalo Sabres. They opened with three straight losses and won only four of their first 11 games in October. Two months later, they were three games under .500, last in the Eastern Conference and hadn't won more than two in a row.Then, on Dec. 9, the turnaround began with a 4-3 overtime vict