Sabers expected to play Jiri Kulich and Devon Levi in ​​Columbus

WHO: Sabers (1-3-1) vs. Blue Jackets (1-2-0)

When: 7:05 p.m. East Coast.

Goalkeeper: Devon Levi (1-1-0, 2.57/.919) vs. Daniil Tarasov (1-0-0, 4.00/.867)

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Jiri Kulich was a loss in Pittsburgh on Wednesday night, but will almost certainly return to the lineup tonight when the Sabers face the Columbus Blue Jackets. The question is for whom? Maybe we have a little answer.

The Sabers didn't have a morning skate today, but Blue Jackets reporter Mark Scheig of the HockeyWriters noticed a few Buffalo players on the ice, reportedly the team's scratches for tonight, after the Jackets had an optional skate. And one of them was winger Jack Quinn, who had one assist and a minus-4 rating in five games and scored on a tough turnover that led to Pittsburgh's second-period equalizer on Wednesday.

In his pregame briefing, Sabers coach Lindy Ruff said Quinn will “in all likelihood” sit tonight. Ruff appreciated the play of Kulich, who hasn't had a point in three games but was very active in the offensive zone in Saturday's win over Florida.

“I think he understands a little better what the NHL game is about,” Ruff said of Kulich. “The speed you have to play, the plays you have to make when you're under pressure, the opportunities you have. I think that's his growth. We know he's got a shot bomb, and I think I've said that before. “His ceiling in this league is almost limitless with the tools he has.”

Devon Levi is expected to take over the starting goalkeeper position for Buffalo, while Columbus will be without starter Elvis Merzlikins (upper body), so it's Daniil Tarasov's turn tonight. Tarasov was the winner in Columbus' infamous 9-4 victory over Buffalo at KeyBank Center last December, the night Sabers fans taunted then-coach Don Granato with chants of “Fi-re Don-ny.”

The Blue Jackets are coming off an emotional 4-3 loss to Florida on Tuesday in their first regular-season home game since the death of star Johnny Gaudreau in August. His No. 13 was raised into the ceiling before the game as a tribute to the lives of the longtime NHL All-Star and his brother Matthew.

Tonight's game is billed as Columbus' traditional home opener, with an outdoor court party and a team carpet walk into the arena.