Sabres blank Blue Jackets 4-0 in preseason as Georgiev, Levi shine

BUFFALO, N.Y. The Buffalo Sabres opened their preseason with a 4-0 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday at Nationwide Arena, paced by a two-goalie performance from Alexandar Georgiev and Devon Levi and a strong showing from several young Sabres. Georgiev stopped all 16 shots he faced across the first two periods and Levi finished the shutout in the third, Buffalo and team reports said.

The game offered an early look at Buffalo's crease situation, which remains unsettled after presumed starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen missed practice time with a lower-body injury. Coach Lindy Ruff said the preseason provides opportunity for other goalies to stake a claim. "Every opportunity he gets is a statement that he's going to make to us," Ruff said of Georgiev before the game. Georgiev, who signed with Buffalo a week before camp, said he signed for opportunity and wants to return to the level that got him an All-Star nod. "I want to get back to that and be a big part of getting to the playoffs here," he said.

Buffalo struck first when rookie defenseman Radim Mrtka, the Sabres' 2025 first-round pick, slid the puck to Bowen Byram for the opening goal. Mrtka, who played alongside Byram...