Matthew Knies scores twice in Blue Jackets debut as Columbus tops Sabres

Matthew Knies wasted no time making an impact with his new team, striking for two goals and an assist as the Columbus Blue Jackets opened their season with a 6-3 home win over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night. The victory snapped a five-year run without a season-opening win for Columbus.

Knies delivers record-setting first night in Columbus

Acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday, Knies became the first player in Blue Jackets history to score twice in his debut. His three-point effort matched the franchise record for a first game, previously set when Artemi Panarin collected three assists in 2017. Knies’ first goal came late in the opening frame on the power play, and he followed it up by setting up Adam Fantilli less than a minute later to push Columbus ahead 3-1.

Buffalo briefly cut into the deficit early in the second period on a goal from Jack Quinn, but Knies restored the two-goal cushion with his second of the night. The 23-year-old described the Columbus atmosphere as "unbelievable" in a post-game in-arena interview, noting he had some nerves in warm-up before settling into a standout debut performance.

Balanced Blue Jackets offence backs Greaves

The Blue Jackets’ attack was spread across the lineup beyond Knies. Cole Sillinger, Fantilli, Sean Monahan and Mathieu Olivier also scored, giving Columbus five different goal scorers before Olivier sealed it with an empty-netter in the final minutes. Charlie Coyle paced the playmaking with three assists, while reigning Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski added two helpers from the back end.

Goaltender Jet Greaves turned aside 23 shots to secure the win as Columbus extended its home-ice winning streak against Buffalo to four games. The Blue Jackets also capitalized on special teams, with Monahan converting on the power play midway through the third period to make it 5-3 and provide breathing room.

Sabres’ push falls short ahead of home opener

For the Sabres, Mattias Samuelsson opened the scoring midway through the first period during four-on-four play, marking his return from a pre-season lower-body injury. Quinn’s second-period goal and a third-period strike from Konsta Helenius kept Buffalo within reach, but the visitors never managed to erase the Columbus lead once they fell behind late in the first.

Noah Ostlund and Owen Power each chipped in two assists for Buffalo, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen finished with 16 saves. After the road loss, the Sabres will shift focus to their home opener on Saturday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. Columbus will remain at Nationwide Arena, where it will welcome Utah on Saturday.