Buffalo Sabres Fall To Columbus In Season Opener

One game down, 81 more to go and it looks like it's going to be another long season for the Buffalo Sabres.  A third period power play goal was the difference as the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Sabres 3-1 in the season opener for both teams at First Niagara Center.  The teams entered the final period tied at 1-1, but the Blue Jackets took the lead with the man advantage and added an insurance goal in the final two minutes.

Zemgus Girgensons scored the lone Buffalo goal on a breakaway off a feed from Marcus Fologino in the second period.  Girgensons said the opening night hype may have been a little bit too much for some of the players -

Number one draft pick Sam Reinhart was a non-factor in the game.  He said the whole team seemed to be a little uptight -

The Blue Jackets nearly doubled the Sabres' shots on goal finishing with a 40-22 edge. The Sabres had some defensive issues and throughout the game seemed to prefer to pass the puck when they had clear shots.  Buffalo goaltender Jonas Enroth finished with 37 saves.

The Sabres are in Chicago to face Patrick Kane and the Black Hawks Saturday night.