Thompson was a late scratch for Thursday's game with the team not announcing his absence until less than an hour before puck drop. The Sabres added that he is day-to-day with the injury. His first chance to return to the lineup will be for Saturday's game against the Oilers.
Johnson will take a seat on Thursday in order to make room for new arrival Bowen Byram. Johnson has no goals and seven assists in 41 games this season.
Byram was acquired from Colorado in a one-for-one deal for Casey Mittlestadt on Wednesday and will make his Sabres' debut on Thursday in Nashville. The 22-year-old offensive defenseman is expected to pair with Rasmus Dahlin out of the gate and will hope to add to his eight goals, 20 points, 40 PIMs and 63 SOG through 40 games played this season.
Zucker and Matthew Dumba will both be held out of the Coyotes' lineup in anticipation of a deal before Friday's trade deadline. Zucker has 24 points (9G / 16A), 104 shots, and 74 hits in 51 games this season.
Rousek played five games with the Sabres earlier this season but has spent most of the 2023-24 campaign with the Rochester Americans (AHL). The 24-year-old winger has 38 points (10G / 28A) in 48 games with Rochester this season.
The Sabres blueline will be a treat for years to come after acquiring Byram on Wednesday, adding to an already talented core of Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. Byram was having a down year offensively with the Avalanche, with 20 points (8G / 12A) in 55 games this season.
Byram has 20 points (8G / 12A) in 55 games this season but has been limited to only one assist in his last seven games. Recently, he has played on the third defensive pairing alongside Jack Johnson.
The Sabres will turn to Luukkonen between the pipes on Wednesday for a season-high ninth straight start. Luukkonen last played on Sunday, allowing three goals on 33 shots (.909 SV%) in a 5-2 losing effort against the Winnipeg Jets. The Sabres enter action as +153 road underdogs against a Toronto Maple Leafs squad they handily defeated 9-3 in December.
Arizona will protect their trade asset in Jason Zucker by healthy scratching him for Tuesday's matchup for trade-related purposes. With Friday's Trade Deadline looming, Zucker's first and only season in Arizona may be coming to an end as he likely closes it out with nine goals, 25 points, 104 SOG, 58 PIMs and a -5 plus/minus through 51 games played.
Gilbert will take a seat on Monday as Jordan Oesterle draws into the Flames' lineup for the first time since January 25th. Gilbert has one goal and six assists in 32 games this season.
Jordan Oesterle will play his first game in over a month, resulting in Gilbert being a healthy scratch against Seattle on Monday. Gilbert played his first game in a month on Saturday and was limited to only 9:13 time-on-ice, registering a -1 plus/minus and three hits.
Luukkonen will continue his reign over the Sabres' crease on Thursday, starting for the seventh straight time. He has allowed fewer than three goals in five of his last seven games while posting a dazzling .932 SV%. The Sabres are +135 road underdogs on Thursday against a Tampa Bay Lightning club that has struggled to keep the puck out of their net lately, allowing four or more goals in three of their last six games (2-4-0).
Luukkonen will likely continue his reign over the Sabres' crease on Thursday, starting for the seventh straight time. He has allowed fewer than three goals in five of his last seven games while posting a dazzling .932 SV%. The Sabres are +135 road underdogs on Thursday against a Tampa Bay Lightning club that has struggled to keep the puck out of their net lately, allowing four or more goals in three of their last six games (2-4-0).
