The second game of the Blue Jackets’ preseason slate didn’t go nearly as well as the first.
After downing the St. Louis Blues 4-1 on Sept. 21 at Nationwide Arena to open the preseason, the Jackets lost 4-0 to the Buffalo Sabres on Sept. 22 with a largely different roster. They’ve now got games Sept. 23 in Buffalo and Sept. 24 at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins to complete a stretch of four straight games in four days to open the exhibition schedule.
Bowen Byrum, Beck Malenstyn, Jack Quinn and Konsta Helenius scored goals for the Sabres (1-0-0), who got a combined shutout from goalies Alexandar Georgiev (16 saves) and Devon Levi (six saves). Elvis Merzlikins started for the Blue Jackets and stopped eight of 10 shots before Jet Greaves took over halfway through the second period for 23 saves on 24 shots.
Here are three takeaways:
Elvis Merzlikins, Jet Greaves split the net evenly for Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets’ top two goalies, Elvis Merzlikins and Jet Greaves, got into their first preseason game as a tandem. They split the net almost exactly 50/50, with Greaves replacing Merzlikins at 9:59 of the second period.
Merzlikins allowed two goals on 10 shots in his 29:59, both in the second period, while Greaves closed the game out with 23 saves on 24 shots. Merzlikins is expected to handle the No. 1 role to start the season, but it won’t be a surprise if Greaves gives him a serious internal push.
“(Greaves) was real good, real calm and did what he does,” Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason said. “Elvis too, right? We thought both guys were real good. Elvis couldn’t do anything on the second (goal) and didn’t see the first one, but he made some real good saves and was real calm, too, in his half game. I was happy with the start for both of them.”
Justin Danforth impresses in first game against Columbus Blue Jackets
Justin Danforth wanted to re-sign with the Blue Jackets, but his asking price didn’t quite fit into the team’s payroll planning. So, the versatile veteran signed a two-year contract on July 1 with the Sabres worth $1.8 million per season. This was his initial return to Columbus to face the Blue Jackets, who provided his first NHL opportunity in 2021 by signing him out of the Kontinental Hockey League.
Danforth played 14:54 on 20 shifts while skating at right wing on the Sabres’ second line and won 9 of 12 draws (75%). He alsoi contributed to Malenstyn’s goal to make it 2-0 by forcing a turnover.
“We wanted to get something done with Columbus, but at the end of the day it comes down to business,” Danforth said. “That’s the way it goes in hockey, but they have a great team. It’s going to be a fun year for that group. I think they’ve got all the pieces they need to get to that next level.”
In four seasons with the Blue Jackets, Danforth posted 31 goals, 33 assists and 64 points in 183 games while spending time skating on all four lines. His late winning goal to defeat the Detroit Red Wings on March 1 in the NHL’s stadium series at Ohio Stadium won’t soon be forgotten in Columbus.
Columbus Blue Jackets draw early NHL scouting interest
The scouts’ section of Nationwide Arena’s press box was bustling for the Blue Jackets’ first two preseason games Sept. 21-22 against the St. Louis Blues and Sabres.
The credential list against Buffalo included scouts from nine different teams just one day after roughly that many showed up to watch the Blue Jackets down the Blues 4-1. The interest might not have anything to do with trade assessments, but multiple teams are still looking to round out their NHL rosters via trades or unsigned free agents playing on professional tryout offers.
Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com and @BrianHedger.bsky.social