Buffalo Sabres News

Georgiev has won six of his last seven starts and will likely start on Thursday as the Avalanche, who have won four straight, visit the Arizona Coyotes. Georgiev has been somewhat inconsistent this season but has been tremendous his last three games (3-0-0), saving 84 of 89 shots (.944 SV%) in that stretch. The Avalanche will look to win for the eighth time in their last nine games as they are sizeable -186 road favourites against a Coyotes team that has fared well recently as well, outscoring their opposition 5-1 during a two-game winning streak.

Georgiev has won six of his last seven starts and will likely start on Thursday as the Avalanche, who have won four straight, visit the Arizona Coyotes. Georgiev has been somewhat inconsistent this season but has been tremendous his last three games (3-0-0), saving 84 of 89 shots (.944 SV%) in that stretch. The Avalanche will look to win for the eighth time in their last nine games as they are sizeable -186 road favourites against a Coyotes team that has fared well recently as well, outscoring their opposition 5-1 during a two-game winning streak.

Luukkonen has been a bright spot in an inconsistent season for the Sabres, as he will likely start for the second consecutive game on Thursday. With Devon Levi being sent down to the AHL, Luukkonen appears to be the favourite in the Sabres' goaltending tandem with him and Eric Comrie. Luukkonen is riding a three-game winning streak and has a sensational .942 SV% in his past five appearances (3-1-0). That said, the Sabres are still +112 road underdogs against the St. Louis Blues, who rank in the bottom third of the league offensively (2.86 GF / GP).

Kulich made his NHL debut on Saturday, playing 14:53 time-on-ice, recording zero points, one shot on goal, and a -1 plus/minus. He has been reassigned to the Rochester Americans of the AHL as the Sabres have recalled Brandon Biro.

Greenway has missed the last two games for the Sabres tending to a personal matter but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues. Through 19 games this season, Greenway has six points (2G / 4A), 19 penalty minutes, and 28 hits while averaging a career-high 17:08 time-on-ice. He has spent the majority of the season partnered with centerman Casey Mittelstadt.

With Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (.918 SV%) playing so well and Eric Comrie locking down the backup spot, Devon Levi has been loaned to Rochester (AHL) for more game action. The 21-year-old struggled through injuries so far this season with his 3-4-1 record, 3.73 GAA and .876 SV%. He will head to Rochester for the first time in his career after making the immediate leap to the NHL from the NCAA near the end of 2022-23.

Georgiev has started 17 games this season, most in the league, and will start for the 18th time on Monday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. After a horrendous stretch in late October where he posted a .832 SV% in five games (1-4-0), Georgiev has rebounded nicely, allowing three or fewer goals in five of his last six games (5-1-0), posting a .903 SV%. The Avalanche rank third-best in the league in terms of shot suppression (27.7 SA / GP), so Georgiev's unspectacular save percentage is likely par for the course going forward. That said, Georgiev should continue to pile up victories, starting Monday as the Avalanche are -141 home favourites against the Lightning.

Kulich is set to sit on Monday as the Sabres appear to be opting to dress seven defensemen against the Rangers. The 2022 first-round pick has played just one game this season, registering no points and one shot on goal.

Samuelsson only played 6:27 on Saturday after leaving the game with an upper-body injury and was a game-time decision for the Sabres on Monday. Samuelsson has three points (1G / 2A), averaging 19:27 time-on-ice through 18 games this season.

After not playing a single game for the Sabres in their first two weeks of the season, Luukkonen has become their most reliable option between the pipes. In his last eight appearances (4-2-1), Luukkonen has a sparkling .923 SV% and one shutout. The Sabres rank in the bottom half of the league defensively, allowing an average of 3.33 goals per game, a stark contrast to Luukkonen's impressive 2.71 GAA. That said, Luukkonen and the Sabres will have their work cut out for them as +188 road underdogs against a New York Rangers team that has won three straight, outscoring their opposition 11-5.

Georgiev has started 17 games this season, most in the league, and is likely to start for the 18th time on Monday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. After a horrendous stretch in late October where he posted a .832 SV% in five games (1-4-0), Georgiev has rebounded nicely, allowing three or fewer goals in five of his last six games (5-1-0), posting a .903 SV%. The Avalanche rank third-best in the league in terms of shot suppression (27.7 SA / GP), so Georgiev's unspectacular save percentage is likely par for the course going forward. That said, Georgiev should continue to pile up victories, starting Monday as the Avalanche are -141 home favourites against the Lightning.

Samuelsson only played 6:27 on Saturday after leaving the game with an upper-body injury. Samuelsson has three points (1G / 2A), averaging 19:27 time-on-ice through 18 games this season, and will be a game-time decision for the Sabres on Monday.

After not playing a single game for the Sabres in their first two weeks of the season, Luukkonen has become their most reliable option between the pipes. In his last eight appearances (4-2-1), Luukkonen has a sparkling .923 SV% and one shutout. The Sabres rank in the bottom half of the league defensively, allowing an average of 3.33 goals per game, a stark contrast to Luukkonen's impressive 2.71 GAA. That said, Luukkonen and the Sabres will have their work cut out for them as +188 road underdogs against a New York Rangers team that has won three straight, outscoring their opposition 11-5.

Greenway missed the Sabres' game Friday due to personal reasons and will not play in either of Buffalo's next two games. The 26-year-old left-winger was acquired by Buffalo at the trade deadline in 2022-23 and has two goals, four assists, 24 SOG, 19 PIMs and a -1 plus/minus in 19 games this season.

Lyon will draw his third start in four games Sunday as he takes the crease vs. the Minnesota Wild. The 30-year-old netminder signed a two-year contract in the offseason with the Red Wings and has a 1-1-0 record, 1.53 GAA and .933 SV%. He will face the struggling Minnesota Wild, who have dropped six-straight games and are 19th in the NHL in goals per game (3.06).

Luukkonen has played well in his last three appearances (1-1-0), saving 74 of 79 shots (.937 SV%), and will be rewarded with a start on Friday. Luukkonen has easily been the most consistent of three Sabres' netminders this season, posting a 2.80 GAA and .911 SV% through nine contests (4-3-1). The Sabres are +111 home underdogs against a Pittsburgh Penguins team without Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust and is coming off a 1-0 loss to the New York Rangers on Wednesday. In addition, Luukkonen played admirably against the Penguins on November 11th despite a 4-0 loss, saving 36 of 39 shots (.923 SV%).