Buffalo Sabres News

The Sabres are at the bottom of an ultra-tight Eastern Conference with a 9-10-4 record, and hope to return to .500 on Friday with Lyon tending the twine against the New Jersey Devils. The 32-year-old Lyon has not played since allowing two goals on three shots (.333 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on November 13th. He has a 3.07 GAA and .907 SV% in 12 games this season (3-5-3).

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).

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Polin has nine NHL games to his name and will be hopefully to make his Avalanche debut this season after being recalled from the AHL. The 26-year-old right winger spent the majority of last season with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) where he had 11 goals and 19 points in 39 games played.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gilbert was a third-round pick back in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft and has been a journeyman throughout his career, unable to become a permanent fixture at the NHL level. The 29-year-old defenseman has 20 points (3G / 17A) in 111 career NHL games.