Buffalo Sabres News

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.

Georgiev will likely 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.

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.

With Henri Jokiharju (illness) unavailable to play, Johnson will draw back into the Sabres' lineup on Tuesday. The 22-year-old rookie has registered no goals and one assist across his first four games. He is expected to play alongside Erik Johnson on Buffalo's third pair.

Since Levi returned earlier this month from an injury, the Sabres have opted to rotate starts between him and Ukko Pekka-Luukkonen and will likely continue this trend with Levi taking the crease on Tuesday. Levi is sporting a very pedestrian 3.17 GAA and .896 SV% through six games (3-3-0) but has won both starts since returning to the lineup, saving 57 of 63 shots (.905 SV%). The Bruins lead the Eastern Conference with an 11-1-2 record but rank in the bottom half of the league offensively, averaging 3.21 goals per game.

Georgiev allowed six goals on 28 shots before being relieved by Ivan Prosvetov on Saturday but will likely get a chance to redeem himself as the expected starter for the Avalanche on Monday. Georgiev's play has been horrid lately, allowing four or more goals in five of his last seven contests (3-4-0) and losing four of his last five (1-4-0) while posting a .832 SV%. Working in Georgiev's favour is his strong track record against the Seattle Kraken. In his only contest against the Kraken this season, Georgiev saved 37 of 38 shots (.974 SV%) and posted a 1.64 GAA and .925 SV% in three games against them last season (3-0-0).

Georgiev allowed six goals on 28 shots before being relieved by Ivan Prosvetov on Saturday but will likely get a chance to redeem himself as the expected starter for the Avalanche on Monday. Georgiev's play has been horrid lately, allowing four or more goals in five of his last seven contests (3-4-0) and losing four of his last five (1-4-0) while posting a .832 SV%. Working in Georgiev's favour is his strong track record against the Seattle Kraken. In his only contest against the Kraken this season, Georgiev saved 37 of 38 shots (.974 SV%) and posted a 1.64 GAA and .925 SV% in three games against them last season (3-0-0).

Timmins was a full participant in practice for the first time this season and appears to be nearing his season debut. Last season, Timmins skated in 25 games with the Maple Leafs, recording 14 points (2G / 12A) while averaging 15:37 time-on-ice.

Since Levi returned earlier this month from an injury, the Sabres have opted to rotate starts between him and Ukko Pekka-Luukkonen and will likely continue this trend with Levi taking the crease on Tuesday. Levi is sporting a very pedestrian 3.17 GAA and .896 SV% through six games (3-3-0) but has won both starts since returning to the lineup, saving 57 of 63 shots (.905 SV%). The Bruins lead the Eastern Conference with an 11-1-2 record but rank in the bottom half of the league offensively, averaging 3.21 goals per game.