Buffalo @ Columbus preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 25, 2019 ) Columbus 3, Buffalo 4

The Buffalo Sabres have gotten off on the right foot both offensively and defensively this season, while things have not gone very well for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Buffalo looks to continue its strong start on Monday as it visits Columbus, which seeks its first victory of 2019-20.

The Sabres have begun the campaign with a pair of victories, scoring 10 goals while allowing only three after posting a 7-2 triumph over New Jersey in their home opener on Saturday. Sam Reinhart and rookie Victor Olofsson scored two goals apiece against the Devils, with the latter increasing his totals to four tallies and seven points in eight career contests. Columbus has surrendered 11 goals while scoring just three in losing its first two games after being on the wrong side of a 7-2 decision in Pittsburgh on Saturday. Riley Nash set up both tallies for the Blue Jackets, who have dropped their first two contests for the first time in three seasons.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG (Buffalo), FS Ohio (Columbus)

ABOUT THE SABRES (2-0-0): Four players have recorded at least three points over the first two contests, with defenseman Rasmus Dahlin leading the charge with four. Reinhart and Olofsson pulled even for the team lead in goals with Conor Sheary, who scored twice in the season-opening victory over the Penguins. Ralph Krueger is just the fourth coach in franchise history to win his first two games, joining Marcel Pronovost (1977), Scotty Bowman (1979) and Jim Roberts (1981).

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (0-2-0): Zach Werenski, who reached double digits in goals in each of his first three NHL seasons, scored in Saturday's setback. The 22-year-old former first-round draft pick has 39 career tallies - two behind Rostislav Klesla (2001-11) for most by a defenseman in franchise history. Nash, who registered only 12 points in 78 contests last campaign, is three assists shy of 100 for his career.

OVERTIME

1. Sabres C Jack Eichel notched a goal and two assists on Saturday for his third multi-point performance in his last four games dating back to last season.

2. Columbus C Boone Jenner also needs three assists for 100 in the NHL and is one point away from 200 for his career while RW Oliver Bjorkstrand's next contest will be his 200th in the league.

3. Buffalo has gone 4-for-6 on the power play in winning its first two games of the season for the first time since 2012-13.

PREDICTION: Blue Jackets 4, Sabres 3