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Mattias Samuelsson scored Buffalo’s first goal of the 2026–27 season, but the Sabres fell 6–3 to the Columbus Blue Jackets in both teams’ season opener on October 1, 2026, at Nationwide Arena. Columbus answered with three first-period goals in a 5:53 span, and its special-teams edge helped decide the game.
How Samuelsson’s opening goal unfolded
Samuelsson put Buffalo ahead at 7:21 of the first period. The defenseman’s goal gave the Sabres an early lead in their season opener, but it did not last. Buffalo’s game recap and CBS Sports’ player report record the opening goal.
Columbus turned the game around in the first period
The Blue Jackets responded with three goals over a 5:53 stretch late in the opening period, changing the game from a Buffalo lead into a deficit the Sabres had to chase. Buffalo later pulled within one goal twice, but never tied the score. Columbus secured a 6–3 win at Nationwide Arena.
Special teams tilted the result toward Columbus
Buffalo went 0-for-5 on the power play, while the Blue Jackets scored twice on their power play. The Sabres killed one of three penalties, or 1-for-3 on the penalty kill, according to the team’s October 2 postgame report. Buffalo also scored once seconds after a power play expired; that goal came after the advantage ended, so it was not a power-play goal.
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Sabres coach Lindy Ruff identified the issue directly: “It was a night where special teams was a difference maker.” The team’s postgame report includes Ruff’s assessment and the special-teams figures.
Samuelsson’s return and game line
Samuelsson returned after sustaining a lower-body injury in the preseason. CBS Sports listed him with one goal, four penalty minutes, a minus-2 rating and 18:21 of ice time in the opener. Those numbers describe this game, not a forecast of his season.
Quick Recap
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