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Buffalo Sabres News

Georgiev will start on Thursday in Winnipeg.

For only the second time since October 18th, a nine-game stretch, the Avalanche will turn to Georgiev between the pipes. Jared Bednar and the Avalanche coaching staff will hope the off-time helped Georgiev regroup after a horrid start to the 2024-25 season, posting an abysmal 4.62 GAA and .822 SV% in six games (1-4-0). To make matters more concerning, Colorado faces off against a league-leading Winnipeg Jets club (12-1-0) that leads the league offensively with 62 goals in 13 games (4.8 GF / GP).

Alexandar Georgiev
Benson (lower-body) is expected to return on Tuesday vs. Ottawa.

Benson has not played the last five games due to a lower-body injury but will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators. Benson had played six of seven games to start the season for the Sabres before his injury, scoring zero points and recording a -4 plus/minus. In a corresponding move, the Sabres have reassigned Jiri Kulich to the Rochester Americans (AHL).

Zach Benson
Luukkonen will start on Tuesday vs. Ottawa.

The Sabres will turn to Luukkonen between the pipes on Tuesday for the sixth time in the last seven games. Luukkonen has lost two straight but was solid in his previous outing, allowing two goals on 23 shots (.913 SV%) in a 2-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. The 25-year-old Luukkonen will look to improve on his 3.16 GAA and .893 SV% through eight games this season (3-4-1). The Sabres enter the action on Tuesday as slight -100 underdogs against the Ottawa Senators, sporting a 6-5-0 record through 11 games this season.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Luukkonen is in the starter's net at Buffalo's morning skate.

The Sabres will likely turn to Luukkonen between the pipes on Tuesday for the sixth time in the last seven games. Luukkonen has lost two straight but was solid in his previous outing, allowing two goals on 23 shots (.913 SV%) in a 2-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. The 25-year-old Luukkonen will look to improve on his 3.16 GAA and .893 SV% through eight games this season (3-4-1). The Sabres enter the action on Tuesday as slight -100 underdogs against the Ottawa Senators, sporting a 6-5-0 record through 11 games this season.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Benson (lower-body) will be a game-time decision on Tuesday vs. Ottawa.

Benson has not played the last five games due to a lower-body injury but has practiced with the team the last several days and could return to the lineup as soon as Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators. Benson had played six of seven games to start the season for the Sabres before his injury, scoring zero points and recording a -4 plus/minus.

Zach Benson
Benson (lower-body) returned to practice Friday and is a possibility to return next week.

Benson has not played the last three games due to a lower-body injury but is nearing a return after returning to practice on Friday. Benson has played six of seven games to start the season for the Sabres before his injury, scoring zero points and recording a -4 plus/minus.

Zach Benson
Levi will start on Friday vs. the Islanders.

After evenly alternating goalies for the first two weeks of the season, the Sabres settled into starting Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for the last five games. That said, they will return to Levi between the pipes on Friday in the front end of a back-to-back. The 23-year-old Levi started the season strong in his first two outings before a disastrous performance, allowing six goals on 25 shots (.760 SV%) in a 6-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, keeping him from occupying the net in two weeks. The Sabres enter the action on Friday as -111 home favorites against a New York Islanders club that has scored only 22 goals this season, tied for fewest in the league.

Devon Levi
Levi is in the starter's net at Buffalo's morning skate.

After evenly alternating goalies for the first two weeks of the season, the Sabres settled into starting Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for the last five games. That said, they will likely return to Levi between the pipes on Friday in the front end of a back-to-back. The 23-year-old Levi started the season strong in his first two outings before a disastrous performance, allowing six goals on 25 shots (.760 SV%) in a 6-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, keeping him from occupying the net in two weeks. The Sabres enter the action on Friday as -111 home favorites against a New York Islanders club that has scored only 22 goals this season, tied for fewest in the league.

Devon Levi
Lyon will start on Wednesday vs. Winnipeg.

The Red Wings rank fifth-worst in the league in terms of xGA/60 but their goaltending has kept them afloat at times, most notably when Lyon has been between the pipes. The 31-year-old Lyon is boasting a sensational 2.05 GAA and .940 SV% through five outings (2-2-0). That said, the Red Wings have lost two straight, outscored 8-5, and rank sixth-worth in the league offensively with only 25 goals in nine games. The Red Wings will face off against a Winnipeg Jets club that lost their first game of the season on Monday (8-1-0).

Alex Lyon
Kesselring (illness) missed practice on Tuesday and will be a game-time decision on Wednesday vs. Calgary.

Kesselring has been a mainstay on Utah's blueline this season, but could be at jeopardy of missing his first game of the season on Wednesday as he is battling an illness. The 24-year-old Kesselring is off to a hot start, with five points (2G / 3A) in 10 games this season.

Michael Kesselring
Lyon is expected to start on Wednesday vs. Winnipeg.

The Red Wings rank fifth-worst in the league in terms of xGA/60 but their goaltending has kept them afloat at times, most notably when Lyon has been between the pipes. The 31-year-old Lyon is boasting a sensational 2.05 GAA and .940 SV% through five outings (2-2-0). That said, the Red Wings have lost two straight, outscored 8-5, and rank sixth-worth in the league offensively with only 25 goals in nine games. The Red Wings will face off against a Winnipeg Jets club that lost their first game of the season on Monday (8-1-0).

Alex Lyon
Utah reassigned Doan to Tucson (AHL) on Monday.

Doan is averaging 13:05 time-on-ice and has only two points (1G / 1A) in nine games this season after a considerably more productive trial run last season when he scored nine points (5G / 4A) in 11 games. After making him a healthy scratch on Monday, Utah is opting to send him down to Tucson where he can continue to play and further his development.

Josh Doan
Georgiev will start against the Blackhawks on Monday.

The Avalanche, riding a five-game winning streak, will turn to Georgiev between the pipes for the first time in 10 days. Georgiev backed up Justus Annunen for the last four games and will hope the rest helps him reset after a forgetful start to the 2024-25 season. In five games (1-3-0), Georgiev has an atrocious 4.99 GAA and .810 SV%. That said, Colorado enters the action on Monday as a sizeable -216 home favorite against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Alexandar Georgiev