Buffalo Sabres News

Ryan Johnson will re-enter the Sabres' lineup on Friday as Erik Johnson will be a healthy scratch. Ryan Johnson last played on December 11th and has one point (0G / 1A) and 11 blocks while averaging 14:22 time-on-ice through 15 games.

Lyon will start on Saturday against the team he made his NHL debut with, the Philadelphia Flyers, whom he played sparingly with between the 2017-18 and 2020-21 seasons. Lyon has undoubtedly been the Red Wings' best goaltender since making his debut with the team approximately one month ago but has not played the last three games. He is coming off his worst performance of the season, allowing four goals on 25 shots (.840 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators on December 9th, but still has an impressive 2.13 GAA and .931 SV% in six games this season (4-2-0).

Sheary has missed the Oilers previous 17 games due to an upper body injury but was activated off the Injured Reserve Thursday and will draw back into the lineup for Tampa Bay in Edmonton. The 31-year-old had struggled offensively prior to his injury with a goal, two assists, 14 SOG, four PIMs and a -3 plus/minus in 13 games played.

Luukkonen has not played since Dec. 3rd due to an illness but was back in the starter's crease Wednesday at Buffalo's morning skate. The 24-year-old has taken over the starting job for the Sabres due to his strong 6-5-1 start to go along with his 2.81 GAA and .907 SV%. He will head to Colorado to take on the Avalanche, who won their last game in a thrilling 6-5 victory and are fourth in the NHL in goals peer game (3.54).

Samuelsso missed the Sabres' previous game due to an undisclosed injury but took full part in morning skate Wednesday and will play in Colorado. The 23-year-old shut down defensemen has done his role well yet again in 2023-24, with a goal, two assists, 25 SOG, 16 PIMs and a -2 plus/minus in 25 games prior to his injury.

Luukkonen has not played since Dec. 3rd due to an illness but was back in the starter's crease Wednesday at Buffalo's morning skate. The 24-year-old has taken over the starting job for the Sabres due to his strong 6-5-1 start to go along with his 2.81 GAA and .907 SV%. He will head to Colorado to take on the Avalanche, who won their last game in a thrilling 6-5 victory and are fourth in the NHL in goals peer game (3.54).

Samuelsson left the morning skate on Monday feeling "sore" and did not play Monday vs. Arizona and is now considered day-to-day with his undisclosed injury. Samuelsson has primarily skated as Rasmus Dahlin's defensive partner this season and has three points (1G / 2A) in 25 games, averaging 20:12 time-on-ice. Ryan Johnson will draw into the lineup in his place.

Georgiev had the night off in Colorado's 5-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday but will return to the crease on Monday against the Calgary Flames. The Avalanche have struggled lately, paralleled by Georgiev, who has lost three of his last four starts (1-2-1), salvaging a serviceable .907 SV%. Working to his advantage is a favourable matchup as the Avalanche are -170 home favourites against a Flames team that has lost three of their last four (1-3-0), scoring three or fewer goals in each contest.

Johnson sat out Saturday's game against the Canadiens but will return to the lineup Monday in place of the injured Mattias Samuelsson (undisclosed). Johnson has no goals and one assist across 14 games with the Sabres this season.

Samuelsson left the morning skate on Monday feeling "sore" and was a game-time decision ahead of the Sabres' contest against the Arizona Coyotes. Samuelsson has primarily skated as Rasmus Dahlin's defensive partner this season and has three points (1G / 2A) in 25 games, averaging 20:12 time-on-ice. Ryan Johnson will draw into the lineup in his place.

Georgiev had the night off in Colorado's 5-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday but will likely return to the crease on Monday against the Calgary Flames. The Avalanche have struggled lately, paralleled by Georgiev, who has lost three of his last four starts (1-2-1), salvaging a serviceable .907 SV%. Working to his advantage is a favourable matchup as the Avalanche are -170 home favourites against a Flames team that has lost three of their last four (1-3-0), scoring three or fewer goals in each contest.

Samuelsson left morning skate on Monday feeling "sore" and will be a game-time decision ahead of the Sabres' contest against the Arizona Coyotes. Samuelsson has primarily skated as Rasmus Dahlin's defensive partner this season and has three points (1G / 2A) in 25 games, averaging 20:12 time-on-ice.

Lyon will return to the crease on Saturday after watching Ville Husso get berated in a 6-5 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday. Lyon has unquestionably been the best goaltender for the Red Wings since making his debut less than a month ago, posting a stellar 1.61 GAA and .947 SV% through five games (4-1-0). The Red Wings will look to rebound on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators, who they last played on November 16th in a 5-4 overtime loss, one day before Lyon made his debut with the Red Wings.

Dahlin played 25:22 time-on-ice and scored one goal in the Sabres' Tuesday night contest but suffered a lower-body injury at some point that kept him out of action on Thursday and will make him a game-time decision on Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens. Dahlin has followed up on a breakout 2022-23 campaign with 21 points (6G / 15A) in 26 games. Owen Power has filled as the quarterback on the top powerplay unit in his absence.

Georgiev has quality starts in three of his last four outings and will look to continue his strong play on Thursday when the Avalanche welcome the Winnipeg Jets. In his past four games (2-1-1), Georgiev has a stellar .929 SV%, allowing only 10 total goals in that stretch. The Avalanche are -130 home favourites in their first game this season against the Jets, who are averaging only 2.0 goals per game over their last seven contests (4-3-0).

Johnson will re-enter the Sabres' lineup on Thursday in place of the injured Rasmus Dahlin. Johnson has no goals and one assist in 13 games this season.

Dahlin missed the Sabres morning skate Wednesday and was announced a game-time decision Thursday vs. Boston. The 23-year-old superstar has been enjoying yet another strong start to his 2023-24 season, with six goals, 21 points, 66 SOG, 20 PIMs and a -10 plus/minus over 26 games prior to his recent injury.