Buffalo Sabres News

Thompson managed to score two points (2G / 0A) in an eventual 5-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators but exited the contest after playing only 12:27 time-on-ice with an undisclosed injury. Thompson already missed a significant portion of the season earlier with an upper-body injury and was finally starting to get his game in order with 12 points (7G / 5A) in his last nine games after scoring six (2G / 4A) in his previous 13. Thompson's potential absence from the lineup would be a crushing blow for a Sabres offence already without Jeff Skinner (upper-body).

Norris did not play on Thursday due to an upper-body injury and has been ruled out of Saturday's contest against the San Jose Sharks as he is day-to-day. The 24-year-old Norris is amid a seven-game pointless skid but was having a decent season before then with 20 points (8G / 12A) in his first 26 games.

Jones was a late addition to Thursday's lineup after Mika Zibanejad left warmups with an undisclosed injury. Jones will draw in as the Rangers will opt to dress seven defensemen in Zibanejad's absence.

Luukkonen will start for only the third time in the last seven games for the Sabres despite being terrific in his last two. Luukkonen has saved 58 of the last 61 shots he's faced (.951 SV%), winning both contests, snapping a previous skid of six straight losses (0-5-1) where he had an abysmal .839 SV%. The Sabres are -120 home favourites on Thursday against an Ottawa Senators club that has lost four straight, scoring three or fewer goals in each contest.

Since Lyon returned shortly after the Christmas break, the Red Wings have bounced back from a 1-5-0 skid in his absence with a 4-1-0 record in their last five, all games that Lyon has started. Lyon has undoubtedly been the most reliable netminder for the Red Wings this season, as is evident from his .921 SV% over his last three games (3-0-0). That said, the Red Wings are +144 home underdogs against a tough opponent in the Edmonton Oilers, among the league's hottest teams and are riding an eight-game winning streak.

Norris finished Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Calgary Flames but will be unavailable for Thursday's tilt against the Buffalo Sabres as he is being evaluated for an upper-body injury. The 24-year-old Norris is amid a seven-game pointless skid but was having a decent season before then with 20 points (8G / 12A) in his first 26 games.

Luukkonen will likely start for only the third time in the last seven games for the Sabres despite being terrific in his last two. Luukkonen has saved 58 of the last 61 shots he's faced (.951 SV%), winning both contests, snapping a previous skid of six straight losses (0-5-1) where he had an abysmal .839 SV%. The Sabres are -120 home favourites on Thursday against an Ottawa Senators club that has lost four straight, scoring three or fewer goals in each contest.

Zucker served the final game of his three-game suspension on Tuesday and will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Calgary Flames. Zucker had been held without a point in seven of his last eight games before being suspended.

Johnson has not played since New Year's Eve but is expected to draw back into the lineup on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators. Johnson was held off the scoresheet in his last four games while firing four shots on goal.

Leschyshyn has spent the majority of his season playing with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL, scoring six points (3G / 3A) in 14 games. The 24-year-old will make his season debut with the Rangers on Thursday.

Despite posting very pedestrian totals over the last month, Georgiev will make his 12th consecutive start for the Avalanche on Wednesday. During that stretch, his teammates have provided him with ample goal support, leading him to an 8-2-1 record while allowing three or more goals eight times, masking an ugly .881 SV%. The Avalanche are -144 home favourites on Wednesday against a Vegas Golden Knights club that defeated them 7-0 in their last meeting in early November.

Kesselring will take the place of Juuso Valimaki, who is the odd-man out on Tuesday. Kesselring has an impressive return of four goals and five assists in 21 games this season.

Despite an excellent performance in his last outing, Levi had the night off on Saturday but will return to the crease on Tuesday as the Sabres look for their third straight win. After allowing three or more goals in four straight games (1-2-0), posting a lousy .850 SV%, Levi returned to form in his last contest, saving 32 of 33 shots (.970 SV%) in a 6-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens. The Sabres are slight -111 home favourites against the Seattle Kraken, who have been on fire lately, winning six straight, outscoring their opposition 16-6.

Leschyshyn had three goals, three assists, eight PIMs and a +1 plus/minus in 14 games with Hartford (AHL) this season but has earned his first call up of the year to the Rangers and will replace Brennan Othmann on the active roster. The 24-year-old appeared in 35 games with Vegas and the Rangers in 2022-23 and miraculously failed to pick up a point while amassing 31 SOG, eight PIMs and a -10 plus/minus.

Greenway did not participate at practice on Monday due to an illness but is expected to be ready for Tuesday's game against the Seattle Kraken. Greenway has been held without a point in five straight games but has accumulated eight hits over that stretch.

Despite an excellent performance in his last outing, Levi had the night off on Saturday but will return to the crease on Tuesday as the Sabres look for their third straight win. After allowing three or more goals in four straight games (1-2-0), posting a lousy .850 SV%, Levi returned to form in his last contest, saving 32 of 33 shots (.970 SV%) in a 6-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens. The Sabres are slight -111 home favourites against the Seattle Kraken, who have been on fire lately, winning six straight, outscoring their opposition 16-6.

Georgiev has appeared in 10 straight games for the Avalanche and will return to the starter's crease on Monday against the Boston Bruins. Despite salvaging a respectable 2-1-0 record, Georgiev has allowed three or more goals in his last three games, posting an atrocious .841 SV%. The 27-year-old netminder has a sub- .900 SV% in seven of his last 12 outings (7-3-1). That said, the Avalanche are -129 home favourites against a Bruins club that has scored 12 goals in their last two games (1-1-0).

Greenway did not participate at practice on Monday due to an illness and his status is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Seattle Kraken. Greenway has been held without a point in five straight games but has accumulated eight hits over that stretch.