The Buffalo Sabres are set to play the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday at Nationwide Arena, aiming for an 11th consecutive win. This would mark a new franchise record for the Sabres, who have previously reached 10-game winning streaks in 1984, 2006, and 2018, but never surpassed that number.
A victory would also break a tie with Colorado for the longest winning streak in the NHL this season. The game holds significance in the Eastern Conference standings as well. The Sabres currently occupy the second wild-card spot following Florida’s loss in the Winter Classic. Meanwhile, despite being last in the conference, Columbus is above .500 and only six points away from a playoff position.
The game will begin at 3 p.m., with television coverage available on MSG starting at 2:30 p.m. Fans can also stream the matchup via Gotham Sports App and ESPN+ (for out-of-market viewers), or listen on WGR 550 and the Buffalo Sabres App.
Regarding lineup changes, defenseman Michael Kesselring will not play due to a lower-body injury suffered during the recent win over Dallas. Jacob Bryson is expected to take his place.
This game also marks Jarmo Kekäläinen’s first appearance as general manager against his former team. Kekäläinen previously served as general manager of Columbus from 2013 to 2024 and led them to five playoff berths, including their best season with 108 points in 2016-17—a year that included a franchise-record 16-game winning streak.
Columbus comes into this matchup after losing to New Jersey, allowing three goals within two minutes early in the third period despite leading significantly in high-danger scoring chances according to Natural Stat Trick. Defenseman Zach Werenski is expected to return after missing four games due to injury; he was recently named to Team USA alongside Tage Thompson and leads all NHL defensemen with 14 goals.
The Blue Jackets won their previous meeting with Buffalo this season by a score of 4-3 in overtime, with Miles Wood—currently injured—scoring twice.
