The Sabres are trapped in a season-worst 10-game losing skid (0-7-3) and, desperate for a win, will likely turn to Luukkonen between pipes on Tuesday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 25-year-old Luukkonen has a 2.80 GAA and .903 SV% in 21 games this season (8-9-3). The Sabres enter Tuesday's contest as -119 road favorites against a Canadiens club that defeated them 7-5 on November 11th.
With Lyon and Cam Talbot (lower body) expected to return at different times this week, Ville Husso will likely be reassigned to Grand Rapids (AHL) after filling in as the Red Wings starting goalie the last few weeks. The 31-year-old Lyon has been solid between the pipes for the Red Wings this season, posting a 2.74 GAA and .911 SV% in nine appearances (4-4-0).
Zellweger was a surprise absence on Thursday and was not announced as a scratch prior to warmups. Jackson Lacombe will draw into the lineup in his place while Pavel Mintyukov will likely fill Zellweger's spot on Anaheim's first power-play unit.
After being acquired in a trade from the Colorado Avalanche earlier this week that primarily exchanged him with Mackenzie Blackwood, Georgiev will make his first start with the Sharks on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues. The 28-year-old Georgiev was wildly inconsistent in Colorado this season, posting a 3.38 GAA and .874 SV% in 18 games (8-7-0), but was slightly better lately, posting a .897 SV% in his 12 most recent appearances (7-3-0). The Sharks enter Thursday's contest as +171 road underdogs against a Blues club with points in six of their last seven (5-1-1).
Kulich will re-enter Buffalo's lineup after sitting out Monday's game against the Red Wings. Kulich has just three goals and zero assists in 18 games this season.
Kozak will take a seat on Wednesday as Jiri Kulich draws back into the Sabres lineup. Kozak has one goal in three games with the Sabres this season.
Luukkonen will make his 20th start of the season when the Sabres host the Rangers on Wednesday. The 25-year-old netminder struggled his last time out, allowing five goals on 28 shots in a 5-2 loss to Utah. Luukkonen owns a .902 SV% and an 8-7-3 record on the season. He's got a good chance of getting back in the win column on Wednesday as the Sabres enter action as very slight underdogs at +125 on the money line.
Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason was optimistic that Danforth will be able to play on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals. The 31-year-old Danforth is averaging a career-high 15:20 time-on-ice and has eight points (3G / 5A) in 25 games this season.
Samuelsson has battled several injuries lately, limiting him to only three games since the beginning of November. Before his most recent injury, the 24-year-old Samuelsson was averaging 16:52 time-on-ice and had one point (1G / 0A) in 12 games this season.
Samuelsson has battled several injuries lately, limiting him to only three games since the beginning of November. Before his most recent injury, the 24-year-old Samuelsson was averaging 16:52 time-on-ice and had one point (1G / 0A) in 12 games this season.
Kulich will take a seat on Monday to make way for the return of Jordan Greenway, who is back from an undisclosed injury. Kulich has three goals and zero assists in 18 games this season.
Dahlin has missed the last two games due to back spams and will likely miss at least two more but could return this weekend. The 24-year-old Dahlin has 19 points (6G / 13A) through 25 games this season and is a crushing blow for a Sabres club amid a season-worst six-game losing skid.
