Sabres Beat Blue Jackets 5-2 Behind Norris
Josh Norris scored twice to break a six-game scoring drought as Buffalo defeated Columbus at KeyBank Center.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Hockey
The Buffalo Sabres defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2 at KeyBank Center on Friday. Josh Norris scored two goals, ending a six-game scoring drought.
Why it matters
The win gives Buffalo a result at home while its top forward regains scoring form during a homestand. Norris's return to the scoresheet addresses one of the team's most visible offensive slumps.
Owen Power's three assists matched his single-game career best and he leads all Sabres skaters in games with multiple assists this season. Zach Benson and Tage Thompson extended points-scoring streaks to six and five games, respectively.
The players
Josh Norris
Buffalo Sabres center who scored two goals in the win, ending a six-game scoring drought.
Owen Power
Sabres defenseman who recorded three assists, matching his single-game career best.
The details
Jack Quinn scored the Sabres' first goal at 6:50 of the first period after picking up his own rebound and beating Greaves on a backhand shot at close range. Norris scored his first-period goal in a four-on-four situation after Benson and Garland were penalized; Kent Johnson answered for Columbus at 16:00, and Werenski added a power-play goal with 1:39 left in the third.
Timeline
Friday: Sabres defeat Columbus 5-2 at KeyBank Center.
Sunday at 3:30 p.m.: Sabres host Vegas as the homestand continues.
Wednesday at 7 p.m.: Sabres host Tampa Bay.
Season Trajectory
Buffalo's win over Columbus comes early in a season where the Sabres are building a homestand against Vegas and Tampa Bay. The result is one game in the regular-season schedule and its significance depends on how Norris's return to scoring holds up.
Norris's return to scoring affects fantasy rosters and the Sabres' top-six production heading into the Vegas game on Sunday. Power's three-assist night also strengthens the case for him in fantasy lineups as a multi-point defenseman.
The takeaway
Scoring droughts tend to end through repeated chances rather than single breakthroughs, and Norris's two-goal game shows the Sabres' top forwards can return to form during a homestand. Fans tracking the team should watch whether the offense sustains that production against Vegas.
What happens next
The Sabres host Vegas on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. and Tampa Bay on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at KeyBank Center.
Further reading
Explore more Buffalo Hockey coverage for context on the Sabres' season.
