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Buffalo Sabres News

Buffalo has signed Maxim Strbak to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Strbak is a Slovak-born defenseman that was just awarded a three-year, entry-level contract after completing his third season of collegiate hockey. The 20-year-old 45th-overall pick from the 2023 NHL Entry Draft had 18 points (3G / 15A) in 37 games this season with Michigan State University.

Maxim Strbak
Luukkonen will start against the Islanders on Tuesday.

The Sabres have evenly alternated goalies in each game since returning from the Olympic break, but that will end on Tuesday, with Luukkonen tending the twine for a second consecutive game. The 27-year-old Finnish goalie has outplayed his counterpart, Alex Lyon, in recent weeks and was excellent in his previous outing, saving 32 of 34 shots (.941 SV%) in a 3-2 shootout win over the Seattle Kraken. Luukkonen has a 2.41 GAA and .915 SV% in seven games (5-1-1) this month. The Sabres enter Tuesday's contest as -185 home favourites against a New York Islanders team that played last night and lost 8-3 to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Luukkonen is expected to start vs. New York on Tuesday.

The Sabres have evenly alternated goalies in each game since returning from the Olympic break, but that will end on Tuesday, with Luukkonen tending the twine for a second consecutive game. The 27-year-old Finnish goalie has outplayed his counterpart, Alex Lyon, in recent weeks and was excellent in his previous outing, saving 32 of 34 shots (.941 SV%) in a 3-2 shootout win over the Seattle Kraken. Luukkonen has a 2.41 GAA and .915 SV% in seven games (5-1-1) this month. The Sabres enter Tuesday's contest as -185 home favourites against a New York Islanders team that played last night and lost 8-3 to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Ostlund (upper-body) will not play against the Red Wings on Friday.

Ostlund was absent from practice on Thursday and was a game-time decision for Friday's game against the Detroit Red Wings. The 22-year-old Swedish forward is averaging 13:58 time-on-ice and has 27 points (11G / 16A) in 60 games this season.

Noah Ostlund
Lyon will start against the Red Wings on Friday.

The Sabres have evenly alternated goalies since the Olympic break and will continue that trend on Friday in the front end of a back-to-back, turning to Lyon to tend the twine against the Detroit Red Wings. The 33-year-old Lyon has been excellent for the Sabres lately, but is coming off one of his worst performances, allowing six goals on 33 shots (.818 SV%) in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks. That said, he is still boasting an outstanding 2.34 GAA and .918 SV% in his last 20 games (17-2-1). The Sabres enter Friday's contest as -156 home favourites against a desperate Red Wings team that has lost five of their last seven (2-4-1) as they battle for a Wild Card spot.

Alex Lyon
Ostlund (upper-body) will be a game-time decision vs. Detroit on Friday.

Ostlund was absent from practice on Thursday and it is unclear what his status will be for Friday's game against the Detroit Red Wings. The 22-year-old Swedish forward is averaging 13:58 time-on-ice and has 27 points (11G / 16A) in 60 games this season.

Noah Ostlund
Lyon is in the starter's crease at Buffalo's morning skate.

The Sabres have evenly alternated goalies since the Olympic break and will continue that trend on Friday in the front end of a back-to-back, turning to Lyon to tend the twine against the Detroit Red Wings. The 33-year-old Lyon has been excellent for the Sabres lately, but is coming off one of his worst performances, allowing six goals on 33 shots (.818 SV%) in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks. That said, he is still boasting an outstanding 2.34 GAA and .918 SV% in his last 20 games (17-2-1). The Sabres enter Friday's contest as -156 home favourites against a desperate Red Wings team that has lost five of their last seven (2-4-1) as they battle for a Wild Card spot.

Alex Lyon
Metsa has been loaned to Rochester (AHL).

With Conor Timmins (lower body) returning from a prolonged absence, Metsa will be the odd man out of the lineup and loaned to Rochester (AHL). The 27-year-old Metsa has been effective in his first NHL season as a bottom-pair defenseman, recording six points (2G / 4A) and a +20 plus/minus in 38 games.

Zach Metsa
Ostlund (upper-body) missed practice on Thursday.

Ostlund was absent from practice on Thursday and it is unclear what his status will be for Friday's game against the Detroit Red Wings. The 22-year-old Swedish forward is averaging 13:58 time-on-ice and has 27 points (11G / 16A) in 60 games this season.

Noah Ostlund
Samuelsson (illness) will play against the Bruins on Wednesday.

Samuelsson was absent from practice on Tuesday and was a game-time decision heading into Wednesday's game against the Boston Bruins. The 26-year-old Samuelsson is having a terrific season, playing primarily alongside Rasmus Dahlin, tallying 39 points (12G / 27A) through 68 games.

Mattias Samuelsson