Editor’s Note: Want to join the crew here at The Cannon and help cover the Blue Jackets? Email thecannon@forhockeyfans.com with a brief resume and a 300ish word writing sample (opinion, analysis, and/or game recap).
Monday, September 22, 2025 – 7:00 PM EDT
Nationwide Arena – Columbus, Ohio
TV: FanDuel Sports Ohio; Radio: 97.1 FM
Buffalo Sabres (0-0-0)
at
Columbus Blue Jackets (1-0-0)
Previously
The Jackets won their preseason opener 4-1 over the St. Louis Blues. Dmitri Voronkov led the way with a goal and two assists. Ivan Fedotov saved 14 of 15 shots faced in 40 minutes in his CBJ preseason debut, while Evan Gardner saved all six shots on goal he faced in the third.
Rosters
Columbus
Buffalo
We’ll update when the lineup is posted, but it may consist of most of one of these practice groups: https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-training-camp-scrimmage-josh-doan-jiri-kulich
Players to Watch
Isac Lundestrom: The Swedish center has spent his entire pro career with Anaheim prior to signing with Columbus this summer. He’s expected to be the fourth line center and I expect him to play with fellow fourth-liner Zach Aston-Reese.
Adam Fantilli: The roster suggests that Fantilli may get linemates from two different lines from last year. His season took off when he filled in for Sean Monahan on the top line, with Kirill Marchenko on the wing. Then he remained productive back on the second line, this time with Kent Johnson. How will those three work out tonight?
Damon Severson: Severson was a healthy scratch for most of the winning streak that ended last season. He still has six years remaining on his contract (thanks, Jarmo) so can the coaches make the best of it? He has plenty of skill, he just needs to cut down on the number of mistakes.
Rasmus Dahlin: Whether or not Dahlin makes the trip to Columbus, our thoughts are with him and his fiance, Carolina, who received an emergency heart transplant this summer.
