Sam Carrick will be a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Kulich to re-enter the lineup. The 22-year-old Kulich is averaging 11:59 time-on-ice and has two points (1G / 1A) in four games this season.
Jiri Kulich will return to Buffalo's lineup on Monday, sending Carrick to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 34-year-old Carrick is averaging 7:55 time-on-ice and has zero points and a -3 plus/minus in three games this season.
Konsta Helenius will re-enter Buffalo's lineup on Monday, resulting in Danforth being a healthy scratch. The 33-year-old Danforth is averaging 10:05 time-on-ice and has zero points in three games this season.
Helenius was a healthy scratch in Buffalo's previous game, but he will return to the lineup on Monday, replacing Justin Danforth. The 20-year-old Helenius is averaging 14:07 time-on-ice and has one goal in four games this season.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen hasn't provided adequate goaltending for the Sabres early this season, so they will hope for a better return on Monday as Ellis tends the twine against the Florida Panthers. The 26-year-old Ellis was serviceable in his two outings this season (1-1-0), saving 44 of 50 shots (.880 SV%). Ellis made his NHL debut last season, posting a 2.90 GAA and .903 SV% in 16 appearances (8-4-2). The Sabres enter Monday's contest as -112 home favourites against a Panthers team that has scored only nine goals in five games (2-1-2).
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.
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.
