3 takeaways from the first 2 Blue Jackets preseason games

The Columbus Blue Jackets reached the midpoint of their four-game preseason schedule with mixed results across their first two exhibition contests. Columbus opened with a 1-0 shootout victory over the Detroit Red Wings on September 21, 2026, before suffering a 5-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres the following night.

The Blue Jackets fielded lineups primarily composed of AHL players rather than established NHL talent, dressing just four projected regular-season players against Buffalo, including forward Dmitri Voronkov. Columbus has five days remaining to finalize its roster compliance ahead of next Thursday's regular-season opener.