Buffalo Sabres News

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%).

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).