COLUMBUS (Interstat) — The Buffalo Sabres will open their schedule on the road Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets in a National Hockey League game at Nationwide Arena. Both teams enter with 0 wins and 0 losses. The matchup marks the first meeting of the season between the Eastern Conference clubs and gives each side an early chance to establish momentum.

Buffalo’s most recent previous result was a 3-2 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens. The Sabres will look to turn that narrow defeat into a stronger start under their current roster. Buffalo’s upcoming schedule includes games against Chicago, Minnesota, Dallas, Utah, Florida, Montreal, Toronto, Philadelphia and Washington, a stretch that will test the club’s depth and travel planning. The Sabres will need to manage the puck carefully and avoid extended defensive-zone shifts.

Columbus’ most recent previous result was a 2-1 loss to the Washington Capitals. The Blue Jackets will aim to use home ice to begin with a sharper effort. Columbus’ upcoming schedule includes Utah, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Florida, the New York Rangers, Minnesota, Toronto, the Vegas Golden Knights, Philadelphia and Carolina. The Blue Jackets will need balanced scoring and steady goaltending to navigate that run. Columbus will look to establish a forecheck and generate chances below the goal line.

The Sabres and Blue Jackets both have 0 wins and 0 losses, leaving little separation in the early standings. Buffalo will try to dictate pace and create offense off the rush, while Columbus will seek to control the neutral zone and limit clean entries. Special teams could play a central role, as early-season games often turn on penalties and power-play execution.

Nationwide Arena is expected to provide a lively home environment for the Blue Jackets, who will play in front of their own fans. The Sabres, meanwhile, will attempt to spoil the home opener and build confidence before returning to their own building. Buffalo’s recent overtime result suggests the club can stay competitive in tight games, while Columbus’ one-goal loss to Washington shows it can defend well enough to remain within striking distance.

Neither team has played a regular-season game yet, so both will be searching for rhythm and consistency. The Blue Jackets will rely on home-ice energy, while the Sabres will look to use speed and pressure to create turnovers. With both clubs at the start of their schedules, the game offers an early measuring stick for lineup combinations, defensive structure and goaltending.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Buffalo 4, Columbus 2. If that projection holds, the Sabres would leave Nationwide Arena with a road win, while the Blue Jackets would open at home with a loss.