Columbus Blue Jackets Preseason Opener vs Buffalo Sabres
Columbus Blue Jackets Hockey is back! The 2018 preseason schedules opens tonight as the Jackets host the Buffalo Sabres.
It’s finally here folks. Hockey returns to Nationwide Arena tonight as the Columbus Blue Jackets open their preseason schedule up against the Buffalo Sabres. The puck drops at 7pm in the Capital City.
The Jackets roster will be an interesting mix of players that will surely find themselves on the NHL roster and those that are fighting for a spot. The Jackets will be led by Brandon Dubinsky, Pierre-Luc Dubois, David Savard, and Markus Nutivaara. According to Alison Lukan of The Athletic, tonight’s lines to look something like this.
Sonny Milano – Pierre-Luc Dubois – Anthony Duclair
Columbus Blue Jackets
Markus Hannikainen – Sam Vigneault – Vitaly Abramov
Alex Broadhurst – Ryan MacInnis – Oliver Bjorkstrand
Calvin Thurkauf – Brandon Dubinsky – Jonathan Davidsson
Dean Kukan – David Savard
Markus Nutivaara – Scott Harrington
Matiss Kivlenieks will start between the pipes and veteran AHL goalie Brad Thiessen will back up the young Latvian.
The lines are very well balanced. All of them have a player that has contributed at the NHL level along with young players looking to make the team. The Thurkauf – Dubinsky – Davidsson line is the most intriguing in my eyes as all three look to impress the Jackets brass.
Thurkauf has looked promising after his first year for Cleveland. Dubinsky is looking to rebound in a big way after a disastrous 2017-2018 campaign. Finally, the front office raves about Davidsson and they believe he could make the NHL team out of camp.
Related Story. 18-19 Expectations for Thurkauf. light
How the defenseman are paired will be interesting to watch. There is an open spot on the blueline, presumably paired with Savard. Dean Kukan was my odds on favorite to take the final spot and being paired with him in the first preseason game is a good sign for the Swiss man.
It will be interesting to see if Scott Harrington get’s time tonight to play alongside of Savard to see how they mesh.
The Sabres will be coming in with a barebones lineup. They will be without #1 overall pick Rasmus Dahlin, as well as Jack Eichel and Casey Mittelstadt. There won’t be too much for fans to watch except maybe the play of Alex Nylander.
Next. Kukan v Carlsson v Harrington. dark
You can watch the game on bluejackets.com or streaming on the Fox Sports Go app. Those in Columbus can also listen to the game on AM 1460.
You’ve waited a long time folks, but its finally here. Columbus Blue Jackets hockey is back!