BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) – Cam Atkinson scored the tiebreaking goal on a third-period power play, and the Blue Jackets beat the Buffalo Sabres 3-1 in the season opener for both teams Thursday night.
Artem Anisimov and Jack Skille also scored for the Blue Jackets, who got 21 saves from Sergei Bobrovsky. Atkinson snapped a 1-all tie with 7:15 remaining.
Zemgus Girgensons scored for Buffalo, and Jhonas Enroth made 37 saves.
Sabres owner Terry Pegula was in the building one day after being unanimously approved as the new owner of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills.
The Sabres had the worst record in the NHL by 14 points last season. Columbus made the playoffs as a wild card in the Eastern Conference.