Sabres rookie delivers first NHL goal and three points in his second career game
Konsta Helenius wastes no time announcing himself to the NHL.
In just the first period of his second career game, the 19-year-old forward records his first NHL goal and adds two assists, powering the Buffalo Sabres to a road victory Tuesday night, a 5–3 win over the Nashville Predators in Nashville.
Helenius becomes the first player in Sabres history to post a three-point game within his first two NHL contests, reaching the milestone before the opening period even ends. His line drives play from the opening faceoff, combining pace, poise, and creativity as Buffalo storms out to a 3–0 lead after 20 minutes.
The breakthrough moment comes when Helenius finds space in the offensive zone and finishes for his first NHL goal, a calm, confident strike that reflects a player unfazed by the moment. He follows it by setting up two more goals, showcasing vision and awareness that immediately translate at the NHL level.
The checklist fills up fast: first NHL point, second NHL point, first NHL goal — all in one dominant period. The performance highlights why Buffalo views Helenius as a core piece of its future, a forward capable of driving offense rather than simply fitting into it.
While Nashville pushes back later in the game, the Sabres maintain control, using their early cushion to close out the 5–3 win on the road. Helenius’ first-period explosion stands as the defining stretch of the night.
For a player just two games into his NHL career, it’s more than a memorable start. It’s a statement — one that sets the tone for what could be a significant role ahead in Buffalo.
