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Knies Has 2 Goals and an Assist in Columbus Debut as Blue Jackets Beat Sabres 6-3
On Thursday, October 1, 2026, newcomer Matthew Knies scored two goals and an assist in his Columbus Blue Jackets debut, leading the team to a 6-3 season-opening victory over the Buffalo Sabres at Nationwide Arena.
The Blue Jackets entered the matchup with a depleted defensive lineup, missing three of their top six defensemen due to preseason injuries and forcing reliance on replacements Carson Soucy, Emil Andrae, and Jake Christiansen.
Acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday, Knies became the first player in franchise history to score more than one goal in his debut, saying "This place is unbelievable" after the performance.
Center Adam Fantilli, the team's $82.5 million forward, scored his first goal of the season, while goaltender Jet Greaves stopped 23 shots to help Columbus extend their home winning streak against Buffalo to four games.
Saturday night brings the next challenge for both teams, as the Sabres host Chicago and the Blue Jackets host Utah in their respective home openers.