Sabres Blank Blue Jackets 5-0 Behind Rookie Goalie's Shutout

Rookie Colten Ellis makes 37 saves in first start in over two months to lead Buffalo to crucial win over fading Columbus

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:10am

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A cubist-style painting featuring sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in shades of blue, white, and red, representing the action and movement of a hockey game.A cubist interpretation of the Sabres' dominant shutout victory, capturing the raw energy and fractured perspectives of the game.Columbus Today

Rookie goaltender Colten Ellis delivered a brilliant 37-save shutout to lead the Buffalo Sabres to a dominant 5-0 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night. With the Sabres' usual starter sidelined, Ellis seized the opportunity, turning in a flawless performance to record his first NHL shutout and help Buffalo maintain their lead atop the Atlantic Division.

Why it matters

The Sabres' win not only solidifies their position at the top of the standings, but it also deals a major blow to the Blue Jackets' fading playoff hopes. This game highlights the fine margins in the NHL, where a single standout performance can have significant implications on a team's season trajectory.

The details

Rookie Colten Ellis was thrust into the starting role with the Sabres' usual goalie Alex Lyon sidelined by injury. Despite not having started a game in over two months, Ellis was composed and dominant, turning aside all 37 shots he faced to record his first NHL shutout. The Sabres' offense provided ample support, with goals from Peyton Krebs, Jack Quinn, Rasmus Dahlin, and a pair from Josh Doan in the third period.

  • The Sabres' 49th win of the season marks only the fourth time in franchise history they've reached that milestone.
  • This was Colten Ellis' first start in over two months.

The players

Colten Ellis

A rookie goaltender for the Buffalo Sabres who delivered a 37-save shutout in his first start in over two months, helping the Sabres maintain their lead atop the Atlantic Division.

Alex Lyon

The Sabres' usual starting goaltender who was sidelined with a lower-body injury, allowing Colten Ellis to step in and record the shutout.

Josh Doan

A Sabres forward who scored two third-period goals to seal the victory over the Blue Jackets.

Peyton Krebs

A Sabres forward who scored one of the team's five goals in the win.

Jack Quinn

A Sabres forward who also scored a goal in the team's dominant victory.

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What they’re saying

“It's not just about the statistics – a 37-save shutout is certainly impressive – but it's about the sheer audacity and composure of a young player seizing a significant opportunity.”

— Cheryll Lueilwitz, Author

“The fact that they reached this win total for only the fourth time in their history underscores the magnitude of their current success.”

— Cheryll Lueilwitz, Author

What’s next

With only three games remaining in the regular season, the Blue Jackets' playoff hopes are fading, and they will need to win out and get help from other teams to have a chance at the postseason.

The takeaway

This game highlights the fine margins in the NHL, where a single standout performance can have significant implications on a team's season trajectory. The Sabres' depth and resilience in the face of injury have been key to their success, while the Blue Jackets' struggles underscore the difficulty of sustaining a playoff push.