The Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Buffalo Sabres 5-1 on Saturday, ending Buffalo's franchise-tying 10-game winning streak. Denton Mateychuk scored and assisted in the win at Nationwide Arena, while Zach Werenski returned from injury to contribute two assists. The Sabres, who had not lost since December 8, now look to rebound against Vancouver on Tuesday.
The Buffalo Sabres entered their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on January 3, 2026, aiming to set a franchise record with an 11th consecutive victory. Instead, they suffered a decisive 5-1 loss at Nationwide Arena, snapping their streak that dated back to a defeat in Calgary on December 8.
Columbus struck first at 3:00 of the opening period when Denton Mateychuk snapped a shot past Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for a 1-0 lead, assisted by Boone Jenner and Zach Werenski. Buffalo tied it at 11:26 on Josh Doan's 12th goal of the season, a tap-in from Josh Norris and Owen Power. But the Blue Jackets pulled ahead quickly: Brendan Gaunce scored short-handed on a breakaway at 14:04, and Dmitri Voronkov tipped in Ivan Provorov's shot at 17:12 to make it 3-1 after one period.
In the second, Mathieu Olivier extended the lead to 4-1 at 8:04 with a backhand on a pass from Zach Aston-Reese and Damon Severson. Cole Sillinger sealed the 5-1 final in the third at 11:46 into an empty net during a penalty-filled power play.
Jet Greaves made 32 saves for Columbus, who improved to 18-16-6 and have won four of their last five games. Luukkonen stopped 29 of 33 shots for Buffalo, now 21-15-4. Werenski, back after missing four games with a lower-body injury, had two assists and leads Blue Jackets defensemen with 40 points.
"That was a team that has a lot of confidence and you just have to meet it head-on," Werenski said. Sabres forward Norris added, "We had a great stretch... I have no doubt we’re going to respond." Coach Lindy Ruff emphasized bouncing back: "Now it’s about responding to the game we just played."
The win avenged Columbus's earlier 3-2 loss to New Jersey, where they blew a third-period lead. Buffalo's seven-game road winning streak also ended.