Blue Jackets topple Sabres with overwhelming offensive effort, but lose Kent Johnson

The Blue Jackets mean business this year. We've said a few times already that this team is different. Their work ethic and overall game-plan is much better than it has been in years' past. The Buffalo Sabres found all of this out firsthand on Thursday night at Nationwide Arena. The Jackets struck early and often, overwhelming them with a strong offensive effort.

Yegor Chinakhov kicked off the scoring 5:12 into the first period, firing off his patented wrist shot from the left circle, which eluded Sabres goaltender Devon Levi. The Jackets would take a 2-0 lead into the first intermission with a last minute goal from Kirill Marchenko. These usually happen at the other end of the ice, but on this night, the Jackets get rewarded because of Kirill's strong individual effort.

Buffalo got things back to within one on a goal by Ryan McLeod, just short of the halfway mark in the second period. But Adam Fantilli showcased his offensive timing, scoring off of a Zach Werenski rebound to make it a 3-1 game just under three minutes later. The Sabres answered again at 17:29, making it a 3-2 game - only to be countered quickly by what has to be Mathieu Olivier's prettiest NHL goal, extending the lead to 4-2.

The scoring wasn't finished in the second, however - Owen Power made it a 4-3 game with just 25 seconds left in the period. But, this Jackets team is different. We've been trying to tell you so - and the third period was further proof. They were able to do something they haven't been able to do for years: put the game away.

Zach Aston-Reese scored just 15 seconds into the third period, quickly easing all of our tension over the late second period Buffalo goal. His deflection of a Jake Christiansen shot was simple, effective hockey, and it would stand as the eventual game-winner. But we weren't done quite yet. Damon Severson joined the red lamp party, taking advantage of a terrific board effort by Sean Monahan and Kirill Marchenko.

The Sabres were able to get it back to 6-4 late, scoring with the net empty. But the Blue Jackets were just too strong for them on this night. They had an answer for every Buffalo goal. They matched them physically and were strong defensively, as well; surrendering just 24 shots on goal.

Kent Johnson situation looms large...

In spite of the win, we come out of this game feeling somehow worse. Kent Johnson's awkward fall in the second period saw him leave the game, which is awful news for a guy who looked really strong early on this season. He sits third on the with 5 points in 4 games, and we're all holding our breath, hoping it's not serious.

Hopefully it was just precautionary. But, knowing this team's luck, we may have to prepare ourselves for a CBJ team without one of its most exciting offensive weapons for the next little while.