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.

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.

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.

Polin has yet to play an NHL game after signing out of Western Michigan University last season. In 20 games with the Colorado Eagles of the AHL, Polin has two points (0G / 2A) and 19 penalty minutes.

Polin has yet to play an NHL game after signing out of Western Michigan University last season. In 20 games with the Colorado Eagles of the AHL, Polin has two points (0G / 2A) and 19 penalty minutes.

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).

Gilbert suffered an upper-body after an awkward collision in Thursday's game against the Nashville Predators. The Flames have recalled defensive prospect Yan Kuznetsov in the interim as we await further evaluations for Gilbert.

Georgiev will start for the Avalanche in a matchup against their division rivals, the Dallas Stars. The Avalanche are +113 road underdogs against a Stars team they defeated 6-3 in mid-November when Georgiev allowed three goals on 28 shots (.893 SV%). The 27-year-old netminder allowed four goals on 22 shots (.818 SV%) in his last outing, a 5-4 overtime win over the New York Islanders, but, despite winning five of his last six (5-0-1), owns an unimpressive .899 SV% during that stretch.