Buffalo Sabres News

After some speculation that Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen would get the nod, it will in fact be Lyon between the pipes for the Sabres on Thursday. Lyon has made 11 starts this season, posting a 3-5-3 record and a .912 SV%. He was tagged with the loss in his last start, allowing four goals on 33 shots in a 6-3 loss in Carolina on Saturday. The Sabres enter Thursday's contest as enormous +307 road underdogs against a league-leading Avalanche team (11-1-5) that is riding a four-game winning streak.

The night after losing 5-2 to the Utah Mammoth, the Sabres will revert to Luukkonen between the pipes against the Colorado Avalanche. The 26-year-old Luukkonen has only played three games (1-1-1) since making his season debut in late October, returning from an injury, and has been inconsistent in those outings, posting a 2.91 GAA and .877 SV%. The Sabres enter Thursday's contest as enormous +307 road underdogs against a league-leading Avalanche team (11-1-5) that is riding a four-game winning streak.

The Sabres have been outscored 9-3 in their last two games (0-2-0), and will likely switch things up on Wednesday against the Utah Mammoth, turning to Ellis for his second career start. The 25-year-old Ellis made his NHL debut on October 22nd and played exceptionally, saving 29 of 31 shots (.935 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings. The Sabres enter the action on Wednesday as +177 road underdogs against a Mammoth team that has been outscored 15-7 during a three-game losing streak (0-3-0).

The Sabres have been outscored 9-3 in their last two games (0-2-0), and will likely switch things up on Wednesday against the Utah Mammoth, turning to Ellis for his second career start. The 25-year-old Ellis made his NHL debut on October 22nd and played exceptionally, saving 29 of 31 shots (.935 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings. The Sabres enter the action on Wednesday as +177 road underdogs against a Mammoth team that has been outscored 15-7 during a three-game losing streak (0-3-0).

Meyer was a sixth-round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2017 NHL offseason and has primarily been an AHL player. The 28-year-old forward scored 21 points (9G / 12A) in 29 games with the San Diego Gulls (AHL) last season. He was signed to a two-year, $1.55 million contract ($775,000 AAV) this past offseason.

Zucker has missed Buffalo's last three games due to an illness and will likely miss at least three more before the team returns home from a three-game road trip. 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.

Kulich did not play on November 8th and was placed on Injured Reserve due to an undisclosed injury, which has now been clarified as a blood clot issue. The 21-year-old Kulich will likely be sidelined for several months, but is expected to return before the end of the season. The second-year Czech forward has five points (3G / 2A) in 12 games this season.

With Ramus Dahlin (persona) away from the team, Jones has earned his second call-up of the season but is still awaiting his first NHL action of the season. The 25-year-old defenseman posted career highs in games played (46), points (11), PIMs (24) and SOG (51) with the New York Rangers last season.

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

Sabres' head coach Lindy Ruff announced that Dahlin will be away from the team indefinitely to tend to personal matters in Sweden. The 25-year-old Dahlin has nine points (1G / 8A), 17 blocks, 12 hits, and a -11 plus/minus through 14 games this season. Expect Owen Power to see an uptick in ice time, including likely taking over the role as the quarterback on the team's top powerplay unit.

Kozak has not played since October 24th, recovering from a lower-body injury, but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues. The 22-year-old Kozak is averaging 9:52 time-on-ice, recording 19 hits and two goals in seven games.

Kulich exited Buffalo's most recent game, a 4-3 shootout win over the Washington Capitals, after only 11:19 time-on-ice due to an undisclosed injury. The 21-year-old Czech forward has five points (3G / 2A) in 12 games this season.

Kozak has not played since October 24th, recovering from a lower-body injury, but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues. The 22-year-old Kozak is averaging 9:52 time-on-ice, recording 19 hits and two goals in seven games.

Kozak has not played since October 24th, recovering from a lower-body injury, but could return to the lineup on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues. The 22-year-old Kozak is averaging 9:52 time-on-ice, recording 19 hits and two goals in seven games.