Buffalo Sabres News

Pearson will make just his second appearance as a Sabre when they host the Red Wings on Friday. He'll take the spot of Noah Ostlund, who is out with an upper-body injury.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Luukkonen was tremendous in his previous outing, saving 26 of 27 shots (.963 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings, and has been consistently reliable for weeks. The 27-year-old Finnish goalie has allowed two or fewer goals in nine of his last 10 appearances (7-2-0), posting a solid 2.19 GAA and .925 SV%. The only game he allowed more than two was a forgettable outing in which he allowed seven goals on 28 shots (.750 SV%), but he still salvaged an 8-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Sabres enter Wednesday's contest as -193 home favourites against a Boston Bruins team that played last night and lost 4-2 to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

With Conor Timmins (lower body) returning from a prolonged absence, Metsa will be the odd man out of the lineup as a healthy scratch. 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.

Timmins has not played since mid December after suffering a broken leg, but has been cleared to return. The 27-year-old defenseman was averaging 19:14 time-on-ice and had six assists in 33 games before his injury. Zach Metsa will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Timmins' return.

Luukkonen was tremendous in his previous outing, saving 26 of 27 shots (.963 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings, and has been consistently reliable for weeks. The 27-year-old Finnish goalie has allowed two or fewer goals in nine of his last 10 appearances (7-2-0), posting a solid 2.19 GAA and .925 SV%. The only game he allowed more than two was a forgettable outing in which he allowed seven goals on 28 shots (.750 SV%), but he still salvaged an 8-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Sabres enter Wednesday's contest as -193 home favourites against a Boston Bruins team that played last night and lost 4-2 to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Samuelsson was absent from practice on Tuesday and it is unclear what his status is 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.

Samuelsson was absent from practice on Tuesday and it is unclear what his status is 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.

The Sabres continue to win regardless of who tends the twine, coming off consecutive shutout victories, one with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and another with Alex Lyon between the pipes. The team will continue their goalie rotation on Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings, turning to Luukkonen, who saved all 29 shots he faced in his most recent outing for his first shutout of the season in a 2-0 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. The Finnish goalie has a 2.41 GAA and .919 SV% since late December, going 12-3-1.