Buffalo Sabres News

Mattias Samuelsson (undisclosed) left Monday's morning skate early and is a game-time decision vs. Arizona.

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.

Mattias Samuelsson
Alex Tuch (lower body) skated with Buffalo Monday morning and is out vs. Arizona.

Tuch participated in practice as an extra skate on Monday, meaning he is unlikely to play but is on the mend and nearing a return Wednesday. Tuch last played on December 3rd and had six points (3G / 3A) in his last six games. Assuming he does not play on Monday against the Arizona Coyotes, his next opportunity to return will be Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche.

Alex Tuch
Devon Levi was in the starter's crease at Monday's morning skate.

Levi was recalled by the Sabres last week after Eric Comrie was injured and has not looked back, playing his best hockey at the NHL level, allowing only three total goals in two games (1-0-1), boasting a .952 SV%. Levi will likely start for the Sabres on Monday as -125 home favourites in a favourable matchup against the Arizona Coyotes who, after winning five straight, have lost two in a row, being outscored 9-4 (0-2-0). Levi had a firm grasp on the Sabres' starting job at the beginning of the season, even when he was playing poorly, so his string of hot play right now could mean he gets priority in the crease again.

Devon Levi
Brett Murray has been recalled from Rochester (AHL) and is expected to make his season debut Monday.

Murray was the 99th overall pick of the Buffalo Sabres in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft but has only played 22 games with the club, most recently in the 2021-22 season. He has scored seven points (2G / 5A) in 12 games with the Rochester Americans of the AHL this season. He will make his debut Monday vs. Arizona.

Brett Murray
Rasmus Dahlin (lower body) will be a game-time decision Saturday vs. Montreal.

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.

Rasmus Dahlin
Dahlin (lower-body) is not on the ice for warmups and is not expected to play in Boston on Thursday.

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.

Rasmus Dahlin
Rasmus Dahlin (lower body) will be a game-time decision Thursday vs. Boston.

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.

Rasmus Dahlin
Bowen Byram (upper body) will play Thursday vs. Winnipeg after being a game-time decision.

Byram only played 14:52 in the last game for the Avalanche, exiting with an upper-body injury, but has been deemed fit to play on Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets. Byram had an elevated role in the last two games with Makar out of the lineup but will return to his usual spot alongside Josh Manson on the second defensive pair for the Avalanche.

Bowen Byram
Devon Levi will start Thursday vs. Boston.

With Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen still out of the lineup with an illness, Levi will likely start against the Boston Bruins on Thursday after serving as the team's backup on Tuesday. This will mark Levi's first start at the NHL level since November 25th when he was subsequently sent down to the AHL, where he posted a 2.94 GAA and .921 SV% in two games (1-1-0) with the Rochester Americans. The Sabres are +239 road underdogs against a Bruins team that scored five goals on Levi (.722 SV%) on November 14th in a 5-2 victory.

Devon Levi
Devon Levi is in the starter's crease at Thursday's morning skate.

With Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen still out of the lineup with an illness, Levi will likely start against the Boston Bruins on Thursday after serving as the team's backup on Tuesday. This will mark Levi's first start at the NHL level since November 25th when he was subsequently sent down to the AHL, where he posted a 2.94 GAA and .921 SV% in two games (1-1-0) with the Rochester Americans. The Sabres are +239 road underdogs against a Bruins team that scored five goals on Levi (.722 SV%) on November 14th in a 5-2 victory.

Devon Levi
Bowen Byram (upper body) did not practice Wednesday but is hopeful to play Thursday vs. Winnipeg.

Byram left the Avalanche's game Tuesday due to a high hit after just 14:52 and did not practice Wednesday but is hopeful to play Thursday vs. the Jets. The 22-year-old has never completed more than 42 games in any of his first three seasons but already has five goals, three assists, 37 SOG, 32 PIMs and a -3 plus/minus in 25 games played so far prior to his recent dust up.

Bowen Byram
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (illness) will not travel with the team on their upcoming road trip to Boston.

Luukkonen was unavailable Tuesday due to an illness and will not travel with the Sabres' on their upcoming road trip to Boston. The 24-year-old has steady enough this season to take over the Sabres' starting role due to his 6-5-1 record, .907 SV% and 2.81 GAA. Devon Levi was recalled from Rochester (AHL) Tuesday in a corresponding move and should fill in for Luukkonen for the time being.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Rasmus Dahlin (lower body) missed practice Wednesday but will travel on the teams road trip to Boston.

Dahlin left Tuesday's practice early and was absent Wednesday due to a lower-body injury and is considered "banged up" for the time being but will travel with the team on their upcoming road trip to Boston. The 23-year-old superstar defensemen is on pace for yet another strong statistical season, with his six goals, 15 assists, 66 SOG, 20 PIMs and -10 plus/minus in 26 games played.

Rasmus Dahlin
Jordan Greenway (upper body) has been placed on the Injured Reserve and will be out for the next 7-10 days.

Greenway did not play on Sunday, has missed four of the Sabres' last six games, and is expected to be out for an additional seven to 10 days with an upper-body injury. Greenway's offensive pedigree has not materialized since being traded to the Sabres late last season, scoring only 11 points (6G / 5A) in 38 combined games.

Jordan Greenway
Alex Tuch (undisclosed) has been placed on the Injured Reserve and will be out for the next 7-10 days.

Tuch is expected to miss seven to 10 days with an undisclosed injury. Tuch's absence from the lineup will be a sizeable blow for a Sabres team that already struggles to score goals (2.84 GF / GP) but, luckily for the Sabres, Tage Thompson (upper-body) will return from a multi-week injury just as Tuch exits the lineup.

Alex Tuch