Despite sustaining another key injury, the Blue Jackets downed the Buffalo Sabres 6-4 Thursday night at Nationwide Arena.

Yegor Chinakhov, Kirill Marchenko, Adam Fantilli, Mathieu Olivier, Zach Aston-Reese and Damon Severson scored goals for the Blue Jackets (2-2-0), who held five two-goal leads plus a three-goal margin while racing to their second win of the season. Daniil Tarasov made 21 saves in the net for the goaltending win.

A bigger story, however, is the upper-body injury forward Kent Johnson sustained early in the second period, when he fell over teammate James van Riemsdyk. After getting forward Justin Danforth back from offseason wrist surgery, the Blue Jackets are now looking at a stretch up front without Johnson, who assisted on Yegor Chinakhov's goal to open the scoring Thursday for his fifth point in four games.

"Super tough (to see it)," center Cole Sillinger said. "The way he was playing, you never, ever want to see that. The thing with KJ, he deals with adversity extremely well, so even talking to him, he's already got a smile on his face and is trying to think of the most positive outcomes and things like that. He doesn't that, with what he went through last year (shoulder surgery), and whatever is evaluated, he'll be coming back stronger."

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Buffalo Sabres updates

Final score: Columbus Blue Jackets 6, Buffalo Sabres 4

The Blue Jackets offensive keeps rolling along, again netting six goals in their second victory by a 6-4 margin. They also downed the Colorado Avalanche by that score Saturday for their first win. The Blue Jackets are now 2-2-0.

Columbus Blue Jackets 6, Buffalo Sabres 4, 17:51, 3rd period: Peterka cuts it to a two-goal margin

JJ Peterka scored third goal in the past two games for the Sabres, pulling his team within two goals.

Columbus Blue Jackets 6, Buffalo Sabres 3, 8:10 3rd period: Severson gets on the board

Kirill Marchenko notched his second point of the night with a perfect feed from the left half-wall to defenseman Damon Severson rushing down the slot for his first goal of the season. Severson is the latest Blue Jackets defenseman to skate down the slot like a center, which appears to be part of the coaching staff's offensive strategy this season.

Columbus Blue Jackets 5, Buffalo Sabres 3, 0:15, 3rd period: Aston-Reese tips home a quick goal

That didn't take long.

Just 15 seconds into the first shift of the third period, Zach Aston-Reese scored his first goal as a Blue Jackets to give Columbus its fourth two-goal lead of the night. Aston-Reese, standing in the slot, got his stick on a low shot by Jake Christiansen and redirected the puck past Levi. Mathieu Olivier gets the second assist for a two-point game (goal, assist).

Third period under way: Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Buffalo Sabres 3

Playing the rest of this game without Kent Johnson (upper body), the Blue Jackets have 20 minutes left to get their second win of the season. Through their first three-plus games, they've proven that scoring goals isn't an issue. Keeping pucks out of their net is a different story. Let's see if Daniil Tarasov and the Jackets' defense can get it done.

2nd intermission: Buffalo Sabres push back against Columbus Blue Jackets, Kent Johnson injured

The Blue Jackets scored two more goals in the second, but the Sabres potted three to go into the second break down by only a goal. Buffalo outshot Columbus 10-9 and pulled even in attempted shots in the game (31-31) while climbing back into it.

The bigger news for the Blue Jackets was an injury that drove Kent Johnson out of the game. After tripping over teammate James van Riemsdyk just outside the Blue Jackets' blue line, he fell hard on his left arm and left the game. Last season, Johnson needed surgery to repair a torn a shoulder labrum.

Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Buffalo Sabres 3, 19:35, 2nd period: Power scores late for Sabres

Buffalo pulled within a goal for the third time in the period on a rebound tally by defenseman Owen Power, who scored it with 25 seconds on the clock to end the period with Columbus clinging to a one-goal lead. The goal was Power's second of the season.

Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Buffalo Sabres 2, 17:58, 2nd: Olivier nets first goal of the seasonB

Mathieu Olivier scores on the ensuing shift following Kulich's goal, giving the Blue Jackets their third two-goal lead of the game. Skating into the low slot, the Jackets' power forward sent a shot past Devon Levi's glove that hit the net inside the right post for 4-2 lead on his first goal of the season.

Columbus Blue Jackets 3, Buffalo Sabres 2, 17:29, 2nd period: Kulich tips one past Tarasov

Buffalo pulled within a goal again on rookie Jiri Kulich's first goal of the season and first goal of his NHL career. Drawing into the lineup for Jack Quinn, Kulich reached up to get his stick on a shot by Dylan Cozens that redirected the puck into the Blue Jackets' net. It looked like the puck might've been touched by a high-stick, but the goal wasn't overturned by NHL officials watching in Toronto.

Columbus Blue Jackets 3, Buffalo Sabres 1, 12:18, 2nd period: Fantilli nets second goal of the season

Adam Fantilli scored a huge goal off a juicy rebound with 7:42 left on the clock in this second period. Since Johnson left with an upper-body injury following a bad fall early in the period, the Sabres clawed their way back into the game by controlling play and cutting the Jackets' lead to 2-1 on Ryan McLeod's goal midway through.

Fantilli followed up a rebound of Zach Werenski's shot by sending a putback off goalie Devon Levi's glove into a wide opening inside the right post. It's Fantilli's second goal of the season and Werenski's second assist in the game. Ivan Provorov gets credit for the second assist.

Columbus Blue Jackets 2, Buffalo Sabres 1, 9:32, 2nd period: McLeod caps a Sabres rush

The Blue Jackets turned the puck over high in the Buffalo zone, which sent a rush back the other direction for the Sabres. Jason Zucker barely stayed onside to receive a pass from Jordan Greenway and fed a backhand pass over to Ryan McLeod breaking in against Daniil Tarsasov. McLeod put his shot past the Blue Jackets' goalie high to the short side, cutting the Columbus lead in half.

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson injured early second period

The Blue Jackets might've sustained another key injury early in the second period. Almost in the same spot on the ice where Gudbranson was injured Tuesday in a collision with Sean Monahan, Kent Johnson tripped over teammate James van Riemsdyk and fell hard to the ice. He immediately grabbed his left hand in pain, skated off the ice and went straight down the tunnel to the locker room.

Losing Johnson for any length of time would be a huge loss with the way he's started the season. Including his assist on Chinakhov's goal in the first period, he's racked up five points on two goals and three assists in the first four games. Johnson also moved up a line to play right wing with Adam Fantilli and van Riemsdyk for the first time.

Johnson's status will be updated when the team provides further information.

2nd period under way: Columbus Blue Jackets 2, Buffalo Sabres 0

Just as they did to start the game, the Blue Jackets started the second period with Van Riemsdyk, Fantilli and Johnson up front with Christiansen and Severson on the back end.

1st intermission: Columbus Blue Jackets dominate opening period, lead Buffalo Sabres 2-0

Buffalo lost in overtime Wednesday and the Sabres played the first period like a team with tired legs. That was partly due to the Blue Jackets, who last played Tuesday and took control of the game with two goals, 17 shot attempts and nine shots in the first period.

Along with a 2-0 lead at the first break, the Jackets have the edge in total attemptsn (17-10) and shots (9-4). They've also pinned the puck inside the Buffalo zone for most of the period, holding the Sabres to one shot for most of the frame until a power play with 3:02 left added three more.

Columbus Blue Jackets 2, Buffalo Sabres 0, 19:29, 1st period: Marchenko makes it a two-goal cushion

Reading a play perfectly inside the Buffalo zone, Kirill Marchenko picked off an attempted exit pass and skated the puck into the left faceoff circle for a wrist shot that beat Sabres goalie Devon Levi under the glove and inside the right post on the far side.

The goal, scored with 33 seconds left in the first period, was Marchenko's second goal of the season and sixth point in four games.

Columbus Blue Jackets' military honoree vs Buffalo Sabres is 100-year old World War II veteran

Walter Stitt Jr., 100, stood next to singer Leo Welsh for the national anthem prior to the game and was featured on the video board near the end of the first period, when Blue Jackets president of hockey operations/general manager Don Waddell presented him with a jersey while the crowd provided an ovation in the background.

Columbus Blue Jackets 1, Buffalo Sabres 0, 5:12, 1st period: Chinakhov caps a power play

Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton was sent to the penalty box for dropping Cole Sillinger to the ice as the Blue Jackets forward attempted to end the Buffalo zone without the puck. Sillinger stayed down briefly, but joined the Blue Jackets' first power-play group for the ensuing man-advantage with Clifton in the box for interference.

The second unit never got onto the ice, as Yegor Chinakhov gave Columbus a 1-0 lead with his second goal of the game to cap the power play, assists going to Zach Werenski and Kent Johnson. Chinakhov and Johnson have collected at least a point in all four games to start the season.

Columbus Blue Jackets and Buffalo Sabres have dropped the puck

Here we go, game four for the Blue Jackets is under way at 7:16 p.m., following pregame player introductions for the Blue Jackets that were pushed to this game by Tuesday's memorial for Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau during the home opener. Adam Fantilli's forward line, including Kent Johnson, plus the second defense pairing of Jake Christiansen and Damon Severson on the ice first for Columbus.

Sean Monahan adds alternate captain's 'A' for Columbus Blue Jackets

Erik Gudbranson's injury created another void in a Blue Jackets' leadership group that was already missing captain Boone Jenner following shoulder surgery. Without Gudbranson, his alternate captain's 'A' was transferred to veteran center Sean Monahan's jersey.

"It's a loss, but now two other guys can step up in more of a leadership role (for Jenner and Gudbranson)," Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason said. "We're very fortunate. We've got a lot of leaders in that dressing room. There are a lot of guys who 'Guddy' and Boone have taught how to lead, and we expect them to step up as we move forward."

Buffalo Sabres lineup changes vs Columbus Blue Jackets

After losing 6-5 in overtime Wednesday in Pittsburgh, the Sabres will start backup goalie Devon Levi and scratch forward Jack Quinn. Jiri Kulich, a rookie who Buffalo selected 28th overall in 2022, draws into the lineup to replace Quinn.

Columbus Blue Jackets projected lineup vs Buffalo Sabres

Forwards

Yegor Chinakhov — Sean Monahan — Kirill Marchenko

James van Riemsdyk — Adam Fantilli — Kent Johnson

Mikael Pyyhtia — Cole Sillinger — Justin Danforth

Zach Aston-Reese — Sean Kuraly — Mathieu Olivier

Defense pairs

Zach Werenski — Ivan Provorov

Jake Christiansen — Damon Severson

Jordan Harris — Jack Johnson

Goalies

Daniil Tarasov

Jet Greaves

Scratched: F Kevin Labanc, D David Jiricek

Injured: F Boone Jenner (shoulder surgery), G Elvis Merzlikins (upper body), D Erik Gudbranson (upper body), F Dmitry Voronkov (upper body), F Gavin Brindley (broken finger)

Buffalo Sabres projected lineup vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Forwards

JJ Peterka – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch

Zach Benson – Dylan Cozens – Jiri Kulich

Jason Zucker – Ryan McLeod – Jordan Greenway

Beck Malenstyn – Peyton Krebs – Sam Lafferty

Defense pairs

Rasmus Dahlin – Henri Jokiharju

Bowen Byram – Owen Power

Mattias Samuelsson – Connor Clifton

Devon Levi

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Scratched:Jack Quinn, Jacob Bryson, Dennis Gilbert

Injured:Nicolas Aube-Kubel (lower body)

What channel is the Blue Jackets vs Sabres game on today?

• TV channel: Bally Sports Ohio

• Streaming: ESPN+

• Radio: 97.1 The Fan

Blue Jackets vs Sabres start time

• Date: Thursday, Oct. 17

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Location: Nationwide Arena (Columbus, Ohio)

Blue Jackets vs Sabres series history

• Series record: The Blue Jackets are 25-15-4 all-time, including 5-3-2 in the past 10 and 6-4-0 in the past 10 played at Nationwide Arena.

• Last meeting: Buffalo won 2-1 on Feb. 23, 2024 in Columbus, with Zemgus Girgensons and Connor Clifton scoring goals for the Sabres and Dmitri Voronkov scoring for the Blue Jackets. Tarasov (35 saves) and Luukkonen (25 saves) were the goalies.

• 2024 matchups: Oct. 17 in Columbus, Feb. 4 at Buffalo, April 10 in Columbus

Blue Jackets vs Sabres betting odds

Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Thursday, Oct. 17

• Spread: Blue Jackets (+1.5)

• Over/under: 5.5

• Moneyline: Blue Jackets -105, Sabres -115

Blue Jackets vs Sabres injury updates

Columbus defenseman Erik Gudbranson is out with an upper-body injury. Blue Jackets goalkeeper Elvis Merzlikins is out with an upper-body injury that's expected to keep him out short-term.

The Blue Jackets' held an optional morning skate, and the Sabres stayed off the ice after losing 6-5 in overtime Wednesday in Pittsburgh.

Daniil Tarasov will start in net for the Blue Jackets and rookie Jet Greaves will handle the backup responsibilities. Justin Danforth (wrist) will be activated off injured reserve Thursday and draw into the Columbus lineup on a forward line with left wing Mikael Pyyhtia and center Cole Sillinger. Kevin Labanc will be scratched to make room for Danforth, while Kent Johnson is expected to play right wing on a line with left wing James van Riemsdyk and center Adam Fantilli.

JJ Peterka returned to the Sabres' top forward line at left wing in Wednesday's OT loss to the Penguins, scoring two goals after missing the previous two games with a concussion. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen started for Buffalo on Wednesday and made 37 saves in the loss. It won't be known until Sabres coach Lindy Ruff meets with reporters shortly before 5 p.m. to know whether Luukkonen or backup Devon Levis gets the start in net against the Blue Jackets.

Columbus Blue Jackets October 2024 schedule, record

Here's a look at the Blue Jackets schedule for the month of October, along with start times, television, and radio information:

• Thursday, Oct. 10: Blue Jackets at Wild (L, 3-2); Takeaways

• Saturday, Oct. 12: Blue Jackets at Avalanche (W, 6-4); Takeaways

• Tuesday, Oct. 15: Blue Jackets vs. Panthers (L, 4-3); Takeaways

• Thursday, Oct. 17: Blue Jackets vs. Sabres | 7 p.m. | Bally Sports Ohio | 97.1 FM

• Saturday, Oct. 19: Blue Jackets vs. Wild | 7 p.m. | Bally Sports Ohio | 93.3 FM

• Tuesday, Oct. 22: Blue Jackets vs. Maple Leafs | 7:30 p.m. | Bally Sports Ohio

• Saturday, Oct 26: Blue Jackets at Predators | 8 p.m. | Bally Sports Ohio

• Monday, Oct 28: Blue Jackets vs. Oilers | 7 p.m. | Bally Sports Ohio

• Wednesday, Oct 30: Blue Jackets at Islanders | 7 p.m. | Bally Sports Ohio

• Record: 1-2-0, in 8th place in the Metropolitan Division

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Buffalo Sabres records

• Records: Blue Jackets 1-2-0, 2 points, in 8th place of the Metropolitan Division; Sabres 1-3-1, 3 points, in 7th place in the Atlantic Division

Columbus Blue Jackets news

• Blue Jackets demonstrate resilience on night team honors "Johnny Hockey."

• Gaudreau family and 5th Line offer each other comfort.

• Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson seeks to emulate Johnny Gaudreau...and he has long done so. (This story is worth clicking on for the photo alone.)

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets down Buffalo Sabres, lose Kent Johnson