Buffalo Sabres cruise past Blue Jackets at KeyBank Center

On a night when Buffalo’s offense clicked with relentless efficiency, the Sabres cruised past the Columbus Blue Jackets at KeyBank Center.

The matchup offered a stark contrast between a surging Buffalo squad finding its rhythm at home and a Columbus team struggling to find answers after a promising start to the evening. At 4:30 of the second period, NHL.com reported that Rasmus Dahlin extended the lead to 3-1 by launching a one-timer from the right point off a blue-line pass from Peyton Krebs, sending the puck bar down past Jet Greaves on the glove side.

Columbus coach Rick Bowness pointed to the team’s inability to capitalize on early opportunities as the turning point. “I thought in the second period we started out great,” Bowness said. “We had a lot of great looks, we didn’t score, and then they get that third goal, and I don’t like how we responded after that. These guys were as disappointed as we are in that performance tonight, and they’ve taken great pride in turning this thing around. It’s team commitment to team defense, and we had too many lapses tonight.”

Blue Jackets vs. Sabres | NHL Highlights | Nov 6, 2026

Buffalo Extends Lead During Second Period

Norris quickly extended Buffalo’s advantage to 4-1 at 9:46 of the middle frame. Zach Benson found him uncovered in front of the net, and Norris slipped a backhand by Greaves’ left skate. Just over a minute later, at 10:53, Noah Ostlund lifted the puck through his and Monahan’s legs for a shot that deflected off Doan’s leg in the crease and crossed the line for a 5-1 lead. The Blue Jackets challenged the play for goaltender interference, but a video review confirmed the goal stood.

“I think playing with confidence a little bit at home and try not to be too cute at home was an emphasis,” Doan said. “I think we did a good job getting pucks to the net early and a lot of bodies around the net.”

Josh Norris scored twice and Owen Power had three assists as the Buffalo Sabres beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2 at KeyBank Center, the NHL reported. Jack Quinn opened the scoring, Norris put Buffalo ahead late in the first, and a three-goal burst early in the second — Rasmus… pic.twitter.com/Skj3VptNgF

— https://x.com/IamIfeanyio/status/2118937246300516830

At 18:21 of the third period, Zach Werenski brought the deficit down to 5-2 via a power-play shot from above the slot, following up on the first goal of the season he had secured the previous night during a 2-1 shootout triumph over the Dallas Stars. That scoring play preserved an impressive streak, making Werenski the second player in franchise history to record a season-opening road point streak of at least six games, following in the footsteps of Gustav Nyquist.

Players Achieve Milestones and Return from Injuries

The lopsided win also marked a pair of notable individual milestones and lineup developments. Dahlin’s second-period goal was his 444th career point, pushing him past John Klingberg for eighth most by a Swedish defenseman in NHL history. Meanwhile, Benson extended his point streak to a career high six games (two goals, seven assists). On the blueline, Conor Timmins made his season debut following a lower-body injury sustained in the preseason, logging an assist and one shot on goal in 15:18 of ice time.

For Columbus, the night carried additional costs beyond the scoreboard. Monahan departed late in the second period with a lower-body injury, while forward Dmitri Voronkov exited in the third period with an upper-body injury. Bowness said both were being evaluated.

Whether Buffalo can sustain this offensive output on the road remains the immediate question for a team trying to string together consistent performances.

NHL Highlights | Blue Jackets vs. Sabres – November 6, 2026

The Buffalo Sabres hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets in the second game of a four-game homestand Friday at KeyBank Center. https://t.co/7Fuh4KgK27

— https://x.com/TheBuffaloNews/status/2118904357550776426