Buffalo Sabres News

Georgiev will start the front end of a back-to-back for the Avalanche on Friday when they visit the Minnesota Wild. Georgiev has been wildly inconsistent of late but has managed to post an 11-5-0 record despite a 3.01 GAA and .898 SV%. His inconsistencies have been especially present through November, allowing 28 goals in eight games and posting a .865 SV% while salvaging a 5-3-0 record. The Avalanche are -124 road favourites against a Wild team that has lost five straight contests (0-3-2).

Luukkonen has played well in his last three appearances (1-1-0), saving 74 of 79 shots (.937 SV%), and will likely 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%).

Georgiev entered the final minute of play with a 3-2 lead over the Nashville Predators on Monday but allowed two goals in 16 seconds en route to a 4-3 regulation loss. Georgiev's 3.08 GAA and .888 SV% through 15 games (10-5-0) leaves a lot to be desired, but the Bulgarian goaltender has consistently collected victories when called upon this season. The Avalanche are -163 home favourites against a Vancouver Canucks team that leads the league offensively, averaging 4.11 goals scored per game.

The Sabres currently have a three-headed goalie carousel as Levi, Eric Comrie, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen have each started a contest in the last week. Levi started the season as the favourite in between the pipes for the Sabres, but the team has opted to rotate starts since Levi has had difficulties acclimating to the NHL, posting a 3.65 GAA and .881 SV% through seven games (3-4-0). The Sabres are slight +111 road underdogs against a Washington Capitals team that has won four straight but will be starting Darcy Kuemper, who has not played since November 8th and has allowed three or more goals in five of his last seven appearances (2-3-2).

Georgiev entered the final minute of play with a 3-2 lead over the Nashville Predators on Monday but allowed two goals in 16 seconds en route to a 4-3 regulation loss. Georgiev's 3.08 GAA and .888 SV% through 15 games (10-5-0) leaves a lot to be desired, but the Bulgarian goaltender has consistently collected victories when called upon this season. The Avalanche are -163 home favourites against a Vancouver Canucks team that leads the league offensively, averaging 4.11 goals scored per game.

Krebs will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Tyson Jost to re-enter the lineup. Krebs played in each of the last three games for the Sabres but did not register a single shot or point in those contests. He has one point (0G / 1A) and nine shots on goal in 17 games this season.

The Sabres currently have a three-headed goalie carousel as Levi, Eric Comrie, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen have each started a contest in the last week. Levi started the season as the favourite in between the pipes for the Sabres, but the team has opted to rotate starts since Levi has had difficulties acclimating to the NHL, posting a 3.65 GAA and .881 SV% through seven games (3-4-0). The Sabres are slight +111 road underdogs against a Washington Capitals team that has won four straight but will be starting Darcy Kuemper, who has not played since November 8th and has allowed three or more goals in five of his last seven appearances (2-3-2).

Lyon made his Red Wings debut vs. Toronto in Sweden for the Global Series and lost after allowing three goals on 29 shots (.897 SV%) but will take crease Wednesday vs. New Jersey. The 30-year-old signed a two-year, $1,800,000 contract with the Red Wings in the offseason after posting a 9-4-2 record, .914 SV%, and 2.89 GAA with Florida in 2022-23. He will face the New Jersey Devils, who have lost five of their last six games but are sixth in the NHL in goals per game (3.69).

Georgiev will start for the fifth consecutive game and look to extend Colorado's win streak to four games. After an abysmal five-game stretch (1-4-0) where Georgiev allowed 23 goals on 137 shots (.832 SV%), he seems to have rebounded back into form, saving 58 of 64 (.906 SV%) in his last three contests (3-0-0). The Avalanche are -150 road favourites on Monday against a Nashville Predators team that has allowed three or more goals in four of their last five games (1-4-0).

Georgiev will take the crease for the Avalanche for the seventh time in eight games and is in the midst of a two-game winning streak after allowing two goals on 17 shots (.882 SV%) in a victory over Anaheim last game. The 27-year-old has picked up wins this season despite his less-than-ideal counting stats as he is 9-4-0 with a .890 SV% and a 3.01 GAA. He takes on the red-hot Dallas Stars, who have won four straight and are 11th in the NHL in goals per game (3.4).

Georgiev will take the crease for the Avalanche for the seventh time in eight games and is in the midst of a two-game winning streak after allowing two goals on 17 shots (.882 SV%) in a victory over Anaheim last game. The 27-year-old has picked up wins this season despite his less-than-ideal counting stats as he is 9-4-0 with a .890 SV% and a 3.01 GAA. He takes on the red-hot Dallas Stars, who have won four straight and are 11th in the NHL in goals per game (3.4).

Sabres head coach Don Granato said after Tuesday's game against the Bruins that Thompson would likely miss "significant time" due to the upper-body injury. Thompson originally left the game in the first period due to a lower-body injury before returning. He then exited the game again shortly thereafter when a Charlie McAvoy shot struck him in the left wrist. Thompson's absence will leave a major void in the Sabres' attack, even despite his relatively slow start. Thompson has six goals and six assists in 15 games on the season. We should expect to receive a more definitive timeline on his recovery in the coming days.

Rookie Zach Benson has not played since October 29th but will be a welcome addition to a Sabres lineup that will be without Tage Thompson (upper-body) for the foreseeable future. Through six games this season, Benson has two points (0G / 2A), averaging 13:17 time-on-ice, and will likely see increased offensive deployment as the Sabres search for additional scoring depth.

Lyon signed a two-year, $1.8 million ($900,000 AAV) contract with Detroit in the offseason but has yet to make an appearance after 16 games. The 30-year-old veteran netminder had an inspirational run to the playoffs with Florida in 2022-23, where he put up a 9-4-2 record, .914 SV% and 2.89 GAA. He will take on the Maple Leafs as part of Detroit's second game of the Global Series, who has won their last two games and are ninth in the NHL in goals per game (3.53).

Kesselring played his first nine NHL games last season, recording three assists, six penalty minutes, and a -1 plus/minus rating. He is expected to make his season debut on Thursday, skating on the Coyotes' second defensive pairing with Matt Dumba.

Tuch has not played the last two games for the Sabres but will be available to return to the lineup on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. Before his injury, Tuch had been producing at an impressive rate, recording nine points (4G / 5A) in his last seven games.

Georgiev will start for the Avalanche on Wednesday when they welcome the Anaheim Ducks into town. Georgiev is coming off a solid 18-save effort (.947 SV%) in a 5-1 win over the Seattle Kraken on Monday, his first quality start in over three weeks. Before Monday's contest, Georgiev had an ugly .832 SV% in his previous five games (1-4-0). The Avalanche hope Georgiev's most recent effort is a sign he is getting his game back on track as they are huge -306 home favourites against a Ducks team that played in Nashville last night.