Blue Jackets Face Surging Sabres in Playoff Push

Columbus needs a win to keep their postseason hopes alive against the Atlantic Division leaders.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:39pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action of a hockey game between two teams, with the players and the ice deconstructed into overlapping planes of color and abstract shapes.The Blue Jackets and Sabres clash in a high-stakes late-season matchup, with both teams fighting for playoff positioning.Buffalo Today

The Columbus Blue Jackets head to Buffalo to take on the red-hot Sabres, who have surged to the top of the Eastern Conference standings since a front office shakeup in mid-December. The Jackets are clinging to slim playoff hopes and need a win to stay in the race, while the Sabres are looking to lock up first place in the Atlantic Division and the East.

Why it matters

This game has major playoff implications for both teams. The Blue Jackets are fighting to keep their postseason dreams alive, while the Sabres are aiming to secure the top spot in the Eastern Conference. A win for Columbus would be a huge boost to their playoff chances, while a Sabres victory would further cement their status as one of the NHL's biggest surprises this season.

The details

The Sabres have been one of the league's best teams since mid-December, going 34-9-4 under new GM Jarmo Kekalainen. They've gotten balanced scoring throughout their lineup, with 13 players having 10 or more goals. Goaltenders Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon have split time in net and both have played well. The Blue Jackets are coming off an important comeback win over the Red Wings, but will need to find a way to solve Lyon, who has had success against Columbus in the past.

  • The Blue Jackets and Sabres have already met twice this season, with Columbus winning both games.
  • Puck drop for tonight's game is scheduled for just after 7:00 PM Eastern time.

The players

Tage Thompson

The Sabres' leading scorer with 38 goals and 79 points.

Rasmus Dahlin

Buffalo's star defenseman, second on the team with 71 points.

Jarmo Kekalainen

The Sabres' general manager, who previously held the same role with the Blue Jackets.

Adam Fantilli

The Blue Jackets forward who scored the game-tying goal with 17 seconds left in their last game against the Red Wings.

Jet Greaves

The Blue Jackets' starting goaltender for tonight's game.

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What’s next

The Blue Jackets will need to win at least 3 of their remaining 4 games to realistically have a shot at the playoffs. A win tonight against the Sabres would be a huge boost to their postseason hopes.

The takeaway

This game represents a major test for the Blue Jackets as they fight to keep their playoff dreams alive. They'll need to find a way to solve the Sabres' balanced attack and goaltending tandem if they want to come away with a crucial two points. A win would give Columbus momentum in their late-season push for the postseason.