Sabres Preseason Report: Sept. 22, 2025

Photo Credit: Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch

Buffalo Sabres vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

Final: 4 (BUF) – 0 (CBJ)

The Buffalo Sabres opened their preseason schedule with a solid shutout win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night.

Defenseman Bowen Byram (1) broke the scoreless deadlock in the second period, wiring a wrist shot from the slot off a feed from 2025 first-round pick Radim Mrtka. Minutes later, Buffalo doubled its lead when Beck Malenstyn (1) pounced on a rebound in front, capitalizing after Owen Power’s point shot was blocked.

Columbus pulled its goaltender with five minutes remaining in the final frame, but the Sabres capitalized as Jiri Kulich chased down a loose puck and set up Jack Quinn (1) for an empty-net marker. With less than a minute to play, rookie Konsta Helenius added some flair, cutting through the neutral zone before finishing with a slick toe-drag and wrist shot to seal the 4–0 victory.

In goal, newly acquired Alexandar Georgiev handled the first two periods before Devon Levi closed out the third. The tandem combined for the shutout.

The game also featured some physicality, as Buffalo’s Josh Dunne dropped the gloves with Columbus rookie Max McCue in the opening frame.

Three Stars :

#1. Alexandar Georgiev (BUF)

#2. Bowen Byram (BUF)

#3. Jet Greaves (CBJ)

Sabres Roster:

Forwards: Justin Danforth, Josh Doan, Josh Dunne, Mason Geertsen, Konsta Helenius, Tyson Kozak, Peyton Krebs, Jiri Kulich, Beck Malenstyn, Noah Ostlund, Jack Quinn, Anton Wahlberg

Defensemen: Bowen Byram, Michael Kesselring, Vsevolod Komarov, Radim Mrtka, Nikita Novikov, Owen Power

Goaltenders: Alexandar Georgiev, Devon Levi

The Sabres are back in preseason action tonight, September 23rd, when they host the Blue Jackets at KeyBank Center. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.