Buffalo Sabres News

Still without Alex Lyon (upper body), the Sabres will keep leaning on Luukkonen, turning to him for the third time in four games. That said, Luukkonen's de facto starting netminder role hasn't translated into success. The 27-year-old Finnish goalie has allowed eight goals on 37 shots (.784 SV%) in two outings, but has salvaged a 1-1-0 record. The Sabres enter Thursday's contest as slight +105 home underdogs against a Dallas Stars team coming off a one-sided 5-0 victory over the San Jose Sharks.

Doan played only 12:05 of ice time in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Minnesota Wild because of a lower-body injury. The 24-year-old had a breakout 2025-26 season, scoring 52 points (25G / 27A) in 82 games, but has yet to find the scoresheet through three games this season.

Ellis will make his first start of the 2026-27 campaign on Tuesday as Buffalo hosts the 2-0-0 Minnesota Wild. The 26-year-old Ellis came to Buffalo off waivers last season and posted a solid 8-4-2 record, with a 2.90 GAA and .903 SV% in 16 games played. The sophomore will hope for more NHL success on Tuesday as he welcomes the tough task of the undefeated Minnesota Wild into Buffalo.

Justin Danforth will make his season debut on Tuesday, resulting in Carrick being a healthy scratch. The 34-year-old Carrick is averaging 7:32 time-on-ice and has zero points through two games this season.

Sam Carrick will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild, allowing Danforth to draw into the lineup for his season debut. The 33-year-old Danforth has spent most of his career in the AHL, but has seen more regular NHL action in recent seasons. He has 64 points (31G / 33A) in 187 career games.

Zellweger did not play in Buffalo's season opener, but he is expected to debut Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 23-year-old joined Buffalo in the offseason and was sidelined late in training camp with a concussion. He is expected to be a key part of Buffalo's defensive unit this season after putting up seven goals, 22 points and 34 PIMs in 76 GP with Anaheim last season.

The Sabres acquired Crevier in the offseason and he has been rewarded with a four-year, $16 million contract ($4.0M AAV). The 25-yera-old defenseman played a career high 78 games last season with the Chicago Blackhawks, averaging 17:08 time-on-ice and scoring 25 points (7G / 18A).

Source:

2026-10-01T16:18:30.149Z

Samuelsson was originally announced as week-to-week with a lower-body injury, but has made a quick recovery and will draw into the lineup for Buffalo's season opener vs. Columbus on Thursday. The 26-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2025-26, putting up career highs in nearly all statistical categories with his 14-goal, 41-point line across 78 games played to go alongside his +41 plus/minus.

The Sabres faced some goaltending concerns heading into the regular season, with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (lower body) and Alex Lyon (upper body) both battling injuries, but Luukkonen will be ready to suit up for the team's season opener. The 27-year-old Luukkonen had a solid 2025-26 season while sharing the crease, primarily with Lyon, posting a 2.52 GAA and .909 SV% in 35 appearances (22-9-3). The Sabres enter Thursday's contest as -112 road favorites agianst the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Gilbert has spent most of his career in the AHL, but injuries on Buffalo's blueline have earned him a call-up from Rochester (AHL) to start the season. The 29-year-old defenseman spent the 2025-26 season with the Ottawa Senators organization, playing 31 games with Belleville (AHL).

Samuelsson was originally announced as week-to-week with a lower-body injury, but seems to be on the shorter end of the recovery timetable after the Sabres announced Wednesday that he has a chance to appear in their season opener vs. Columbus on Thursday. The 26-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2025-26, putting up career highs in nearly all statistical categories with his 14-goal, 41-point line across 78 games played to go alongside his +41 plus/minus.

Zellweger will miss Buffalo's opening night matchup vs. Columbus but has a chance to return for the teams home opener on Saturday vs. Chicago. The 23-year-old was acquired from Anaheim in the offseason and is recovering from a concussion sustained in the preseason. He is expected to be a key part of Buffalo's defensive unit this season after putting up seven goals, 22 points and 34 PIMs in 76 GP with Anaheim last season.

Luukkonen left the Sabres' final preseason game with a lower-body injury but was back on the ice for Tuesday's practice. He told reporters that his departure from Saturday's game was precautionary, and he felt fine in practice. That should put Luukkonen in line to start Thursday's season opener.

Timmins has struggled to stay healthy at the NHL level, failing to surpass 52 games played in all but one of his seven seasons and will start the 2026-27 campaign on Injured Reserve with a lower-body injury. The 28-year-old appeared in 39 games for the Sabres last season, picking up eight assists, 18 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus.