Line Change
Kozak will draw back into Buffalo's lineup vs. the Islanders on Saturday.
Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA
Buffalo Sabres News
Goalie Start
Lyon will start on Long Island on Saturday.
Jones has been recalled from Rochester (AHL).
With Jacob Bryson being placed on IR on Friday, Zac Jones has earned a call up to Buffalo from Rochester (AHL). The 25-year-old has yet to appear in a game this season for the Sabres but has an impressive six goals and 37 points in 32 games with Rochester.
Benson (undisclosed) left Thursdays game vs. Montreal and did not return.
Benson took a high hit from Zack Bolduc in the third period and had was down for a little bit before leaving the ice under his own power. Benson stayed on the bench but will likely be evaluated prior to Saturday's game against the Islanders.
Goalie Start
Luukkonen will start in Montreal on Thursday.
Luukkonen was terrific in Monday's 2-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%), and will hope for more goal support on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 26-year-old Luukkonen has been solid in recent weeks, posting a 2.45 GAA and .919 SV% in his last nine games (6-2-1). The Sabres enter the action on Thursday as +105 road underdogs against a Canadiens team they defeated 3-2 one week ago.
Line Change
Metsa will be a healthy scratch in Montreal on Thursday.
Michael Kesselring (ankle) will return from a two-game absence, resulting in Metsa being a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 27-yeer-old Metsa has two points (1G / 1A) in 20 games this season.
Goalie Start
Luukkonen is in the starter's crease at Buffalo's morning skate.
Luukkonen was terrific in Monday's 2-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%), and will hope for more goal support on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 26-year-old Luukkonen has been solid in recent weeks, posting a 2.45 GAA and .919 SV% in his last nine games (6-2-1). The Sabres enter the action on Thursday as +105 road underdogs against a Canadiens team they defeated 3-2 one week ago.
Buffalo has signed Josh Doan to a seven-year extension worth $6.95 million AAV ($48.65M total).
Doan was traded to the Buffalo Sabres in the offseason and is having a breakout first season with his new team, earning a seven-year contract extension worth $48.65 million. The 23-year-old forward has 35 points (15G / 20A), 44 hits, and 109 shots in 49 games this season.
Line Change
Kozak is a healthy scratch for Tuesday's game in Nashville.
Kozak will draw out of Buffalo's lineup on Tuesday as they opt to get some fresh legs into their lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Jordan Greenway will play in his place.
Line Change
Greenway will draw into the Sabres lineup on Tuesday.
Greenway will slot into Buffalo's lineup on Tuesday as they opt to get some fresh legs into their lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Tyson Kozak will sit in his place.
Goalie Start
Lyon will start in Nashville on Tuesday.
After being activated from injured reserve on Monday, Lyon will make his first start of 2026 when the Sabres travel to Nashville on Tuesday. The 33-year-old goalie was on a marvelous run before his injury, winning each of his last seven starts while posting a 2.14 GAA and .919 SV%. Lyon will be looking to stay in the win column in Tuesday night's matchup with the Predators, where the Sabres enter action at +105 on the money line.
Goalie Start
Luukkonen will start in Carolina on Monday.
Luukkonen has been solid for the Sabres lately, but is coming off a performance where he struggled, allowing five goals on 35 shots (.857 SV%) in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild. That said, the 26-year-old Finnish goalie has helped his team record a point in seven of his last eight outings (6-1-1) while posting an impressive 2.51 GAA and .918 SV%. The Sabres enter Monday's contest as +166 road underdogs against a Carolina Hurricanes team that has outscored opponents 13-2 in its last two games (2-0-0).
Line Change
Helenius will make his NHL debut in Carolina on Monday.
Helenius was drafted 14th overall by Buffalo in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old Finnish forward is in his second professional season and is set to make his NHL debut on Monday. He's had a solid season in the AHL with the Rochester Americans, scoring 30 points (9G / 21A) in 34 games.
Lyon (lower-body) has been activated from IR.
Lyon was a full participant at practice on Sunday and was activated from Injured Reserve on Monday. Sabres' Head Coach Lindy Ruff insisted that Lyon would return to the crease at some point this week. The 33-year-old goalie was on a marvelous run before his injury, winning seven straight while posting a 2.14 GAA and .919 SV%.
Line Change
Greenway is expected to be a healthy scratch on Monday.
Norris (upper body) is not progressing as anticipated and has been downgraded to week-to-week.
Line Change
Helenius will make his NHL debut on Monday.
Lyon (lower body) returned to practice on Sunday and is expected to play this week.
Goalie Start
Luukkonen will start Saturday vs. the Wild.
Goalie Start
Ellis will start against the Canadiens on Thursday.
Gearing up to play their second game in as many nights, the Sabres will turn to Ellis between the pipes when they host the Habs on Thursday. Ellis was tagged with the loss in his last start, allowing three goals on 31 shots in a 4-3 loss to the Panthers on Monday. The 25-year-old rookie has proven to be a reliable backstop for Buffalo this season, posting a 5-4-0 record and an even .900 SV% across ten appearances. The Sabres enter action on Thursday at +105 on the money line.
