By Dave Seaman, Columbus Wired

Anson Carter made his Columbus Blue Jacket debut Tuesday night and scored a goal and an assist in a 4-1 preseason win over Buffalo in front of 13,037 at Nationwide Arena.

Carter, who signed a day before training camp began, comes over from Vancouver where he had a career-high 33 goals last season. His goal came early in the third period on the power play off a pass from Rick Nash. He also assisted on Nash’s go-ahead goal in the second period.

“It’s not too hard to play with a guy like that,” Carter said. “Nash is a heck of a hockey player. I’m trying my best to come in and compliment him,  (David) Vyborny or whoever I’m playing with and help this team win some hockey games.”

The only dark cloud that hung over the win was the potential loss of center Sergei Fedorov, who left the game early in the third period with an unspecified shoulder injury.

Buffalo (1-1) took an early 1-0 lead on a goal by Jochen Hecht 47 seconds into the second period. Carter fed Nash midway through the period to tie the game at 1-1 on the power play.

Less than a minute later, Jaroslav Balastic scored the go-ahead goal off a pass from Geoff Plat, also on the power play. Columbus (2-0) took a 2-1 lead into the second intermission despite being outshot 30-16.

“We took too many penalties, but we’re still adjusting to the new NHL,” Nash said. “It’s been a whole summer without playing, so we’re still adjusting.”

Platt added a goal off a Mark Hartigan assist. In all, Nash, Carter, Platt and Balastic each had a goal and an assist for the Jackets. Ty Conklin stopped
22 of 23 shots he faced, while Frederik Norrena shut out the Sabres with 18 saves.

The newfound depth of the Jackets is creating competition at every position.
Conklin and Norrena are fighting for the number two goalie spot behind Pascal Leclaire.

“It’s great to have depth,” Jackets coach Gerard Gallant said. “We have more depth that ever before. Guys are working hard and competing hard, they really want a roster spot.”

Buffalo outshot Columbus 41-26. Most of those shots came on the power play, where the Sabres had nine man-advantages. Columbus shut them down on all nine attempts. The Jackets converted on three of six power play attempts.

Columbus plays Nashville Thursday in Memphis at 8 p.m.