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Buffalo Sabres News

Luukkonen is expected to start in Pittsburgh on Wednesday.

The Sabres have alternated three goalies lately, but they have received strong play lately from Luukkonen, who will return to the crease for a third consecutive game. The 26-year-old Luukkonen saved 29 of 30 shots (.967 SV%) in his most recent outing, an impressive 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Luukkonen has a 2.40 GAA and .910 SV% in his last five games (3-2-0). The Sabres enter Wednesday's contest as +105 road underdogs against a Penguins team on a two-game losing skid (0-1-1).

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Norris (upper body) was a full participant in Buffalo's practice on Wednesday.

Norris has not played since suffering an injury in Buffalo's season opener, but has skated with the team over the last week, and was a full participant at practice on Wednesday. The 26-year-old Norris has missed significant time over the previous few seasons due to shoulder injuries but it's unclear if his current injury is related.

Josh Norris
Georgiev had his contracted terminated by Buffalo and can officially head to the KHL.

The Sabres signed Georgiev in the offseason, but he was quickly placed on waivers and assigned to the Rochester Americans (AHL). He has since had his contract terminated and will likely sign with a KHL team. The 29-year-old goalie had an awful 2024-25 season, the worst of his career, posting an ugly 3.71 GAA and .874 SV% in 47 games (15-26-4) split between the Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks.

Alexandar Georgiev
The Sabres have reassigned Isak Rosen to Rochester (AHL).

Rosen had a strong showing with the Sabres during his call-up, picking up seven points (3G / 4A) in 10 games, but has been returned to the AHL to make room for Zach Benson, who returns to the lineup on Sunday. Rosen has 12 points (5G / 7A) in eight AHL games this season.

Isak Rosen
Benson (lower-body) will be back in the Sabres' lineup on Sunday.

Benson has missed the lsat 10 games with a lower-body injury, but will play Sunday vs. the Hurricanes. It's unclear where Benson will slot into the lineup, but he spent most of the season on the top line with Tage Thompson, so he could bump Josh Doan to the third line. Benson has yet to score this season but has picked up eight assists in eight games.

Zach Benson
Luukkonen will start against the Blackhawks on Friday.

The Sabres have favored rookie Colten Ellis in recent games, but they will turn to Luukkonen on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Luukkonen was injured for the first four weeks of the season and has been inconsistent in limited use since. The 26-year-old Finnish netminder has a 3.02 GAA and .883 SV% in four games this season (1-2-1). The Sabres enter Friday's contest as -180 home favorites against a Blackhawks team that played last night and allowed three unanswered goals in a 3-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Geertsen has cleared waivers and been assigned to Rochester (AHL).

Geertsen went without a point in five games with the Sabres this season, zero points in 30 career games, and will report to the Rochester Americans (AHL) after clearing waivers. The 30-year-old forward was a fourth-round pick of the Colorado Avalanche in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Mason Geertsen
Benson (lower-body) is close to returning but will remain out vs. Chicago on Friday.

Benson has not played since October 30th due to a lower-body injury, but has returned to practice. He should return to the lineup shortly, but will miss one more game, beginning with Friday’s contest against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 20-year-old Benson was off to a hot start before his injury, scoring eight points (0G / 8A) through eight games.

Zach Benson
Zucker (illness) will return to Buffalo's lineup vs. Chicago on Friday.

Zucker has missed seven straight games, but returned to practice this week, and will return to the lineup on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 33-year-old Zucker is averaging 14:44 time-on-ice, recording seven points (4G / 3A), 15 hits, and 27 shots in 12 games this season.

Jason Zucker
Luukkonen is in the starter's crease at Buffalo's morning skate on Friday.

The Sabres have favored rookie Colten Ellis in recent games, but they will likely turn to Luukkonen on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Luukkonen was injured for the first four weeks of the season and has been inconsistent in limited use since. The 26-year-old Finnish netminder has a 3.02 GAA and .883 SV% in four games this season (1-2-1). The Sabres enter Friday's contest as -180 home favorites against a Blackhawks team that played last night and allowed three unanswered goals in a 3-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Ellis will start against the Flames on Wednesday.

Sabres' Head Coach Lindy Ruff insisted that he trusted Ellis because of the big saves he was making with the games on the line, and as such, he will roll with Ellis for the fourth time in the last week. The 25-year-old rookie netminder was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 32 of 33 shots (.970 SV%) in Buffalo's 5-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers. He has a 2.76 GAA and .914 SV% in four games this season (3-1-0). The Sabres enter Wednesday's contest as -154 home favourites against a struggling Calgary Flames team that lost 5-2 last night to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Colten Ellis
Benson (lower-body) skated on Wednesday and is expected back in a short period of time.

Benson has not played since October 30th due to a lower-body injury, but has returned to practice, and should return to the lineup shortly. The 20-year-old Benson was off to a hot start before his injury, scoring eight points (0G / 8A) through eight games.

Zach Benson
Zucker (illness) will be available on Friday vs. Chicago.

Zucker has missed seven straight games, but returned to practice this week, and should return to the lineup on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 33-year-old Zucker is averaging 14:44 time-on-ice, recording seven points (4G / 3A), 15 hits, and 27 shots in 12 games this season.

Jason Zucker
Ellis is in the starter's crease at Buffalo's morning skate.

Sabres' Head Coach Lindy Ruff insisted that he trusted Ellis because of the big saves he was making with the games on the line, and as such, he will roll with Ellis for the fourth time in the last week. The 25-year-old rookie netminder was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 32 of 33 shots (.970 SV%) in Buffalo's 5-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers. He has a 2.76 GAA and .914 SV% in four games this season (3-1-0). The Sabres enter Wednesday's contest as -154 home favourites against a struggling Calgary Flames team that lost 5-2 last night to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Colten Ellis
Kesselring (lower-body) is expected to be out for an extended period of time after being placed on IR yesterday.

Kesselring did not make his season debut until late October and will be sidelined again after suffering an injury over the weekend. He was seen leaving the arena in a walking boot and is expected to be out of the lineup indefinitely. The 25-year-old Kesselring was averaging 15:37 time-on-ice and scored zero points through nine games before his injury.

Michael Kesselring
Kesselring (lower-body) has been placed on IR.

Kesselring did not make his season debut until late October and will be sidelined again after suffering an injury in Buffalo's most recent game. He was seen leaving the arena in a walking boot and is expected to be out of the lineup indefinitely. The 25-year-old Kesselring was averaging 15:37 time-on-ice and scored zero points through nine games before his injury.

Michael Kesselring