With Alex Lyon (lower body) out week-to-week, Buffalo will turn to Ellis on the tail end of a back-to-back for his first start in over two months. The 25-year-old Ellis has been with the Sabres for most of the season, frequently suiting up as the team's backup goalie to keep their tandem fresh. He appeared in a game last week in relief of Lyon, saving 20 of 23 shots (.870 SV%) in an eventual 6-2 loss to the Washington Capitals. The Sabres enter Thursday's contest as slight -102 home underdogs against a Columbus Blue Jackets team desperate to stay within reach of the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.


