After not starting a game in over a month, Ellis played twice in the last two weeks with Buffalo wrapping up their season and was given the day off on Thursday. The 25-year-old Ellis was serviceable in limited action this season, posting a 2.90 GAA and .903 SV% in 16 games (8-4-2).
A starter has not been announced for Buffalo's opening-game of the playoffs against the Boston Bruins on Sunday, but if Lyon is able to suit up, given that he has not played in weeks, he will likely serve as the backup to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. The 33-year-old Lyon was struggling before his injury, resulting in his starting only one of the team's last five games. The team hopes Lyon's extended rest can help him reset and return to early-season form if he is called upon in the playoffs.
Entering their final game of the regular season, the Avalanche will likely rest some of their key players, resulting in several call-ups from the Colorado Eagles (AHL), including Barre-Boulet. The 26-year-old Polin has spent most of the season in the AHL, where he has 21 points (10G / 11A) in 45 games with the Eagles.
Ellis stopped all 37 shots that he faced in the Sabres' 5-0 win over the Blue Jackets last Thursday. With Alex Lyon injured, Ellis has made two starts in April, stopping 57 of the 60 shots (.950 SV%) that he's faced. Tonight he draws a tough matchup with the Stars in town. Even though they're locked into their playoff position, Glen Gulutzan said they plan to play close to a full lineup on Wednesday.
With Buffalo locked into their playoff position, Mattias Samuelsson will join a handful of expected Buffalo players that are sitting due to rest vs. Dallas. The 26-year-old has enjoyed an offensive breakout in 2025-26, with a career high in nearly all statistical stats including goals (13), assists (28), points (41), plus/minus (+41), PIMs (28) and SOG (10() across 78 games played this season.
With first-place locked up in the Atlantic Division, the Sabres will rest several key players in their final regular-season game, including Rasmus Dahlin. The 26-year-old Swedish defenseman had a terrific season with Buffalo, scoring a career-high 74 points (19G / 55A) in 77 games.
With first-place locked up in the Atlantic Division, the Sabres will rest several key players in their final regular-season game, including Ryan McLeod. The 26-year-old McLeod finishes the 2025-26 season with a career-high 54 points (14G / 40A) through 81 games.
With first-place locked up in the Atlantic Division, the Sabres will rest several key players in their final regular-season game, including Jason Zucker. The 34-year-old Zucker had a terrific season in Buffalo, producing at his best rate in nearly a decade (0.73 PTS/GP), scoring 62 points (24G / 21A) in 62 games.
With first-place locked up in the Atlantic Division, the Sabres will rest several key players in their final regular-season game, including Tage Thompson. The 28-year-old Thompson had another terrific season for the Sabres, scoring 81 points (40G / 41A) in 81 games for the second point-per-game season of his career.
Ostlund has not played in over three weeks due to an upper-body injury, and he availability for to start the playoffs is unlikely. The 22-year-old Swedish forward is averaging 13:58 time-on-ice and has 27 points (11G / 16A) in 60 games this season.
Ellis stopped all 37 shots that he faced in the Sabres' 5-0 win over the Blue Jackets last Thursday. With Alex Lyon injured, Ellis has made two starts in April, stopping 57 of the 60 shots (.950 SV%) that he's faced. Tonight he draws a tough matchup with the Stars in town. Even though they're locked into their playoff position, Glen Gulutzan said they plan to play close to a full lineup on Wednesday.
The Sabres can lock up the top seed in the Atlantic Division on Monday, and will turn to Luukkonen to tend the twine against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 27-year-old Finnish goalie didn't need to be spectacular in his previous outing, allowing three goals on 20 shots (.850 SV%) in a 5-3 win over the New York Rangers. Luukkonen has allowed three or fewer goals in eight of his last nine games (6-2-1), posting a solid 2.40 GAA and .920 SV%. The Sabres enter Monday's contest as -195 road favourites against a Blackhawks team on a three-game losing streak (0-3-0).
Utah recalled Villalta on Sunday to give Karel Vejmelka the night off, but now he will return to the AHL. The 26-year-old Villalta has a 3.10 GAA and .895 SV% this season 33 games with the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL).
Logan Stanley will be a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Timmins to re-enter the lineup. The 27-year-old Timmins has missed significant time due to injuries this season, but has been effective when in the lineup, averaging 18:52 time-on-ice and scoring eight assists in 37 games.
The Sabres can lock up the top seed in the Atlantic Division on Monday, and will turn to Luukkonen to tend the twine against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 27-year-old Finnish goalie didn't need to be spectacular in his previous outing, allowing three goals on 20 shots (.850 SV%) in a 5-3 win over the New York Rangers. Luukkonen has allowed three or fewer goals in eight of his last nine games (6-2-1), posting a solid 2.40 GAA and .920 SV%. The Sabres enter Monday's contest as -195 road favourites against a Blackhawks team on a three-game losing streak (0-3-0).
Lyon is battling a lower-body injury that will keep him sidelined week-to-week and award Colten Ellis with his first start in over two months. The 33-year-old Lyon has struggled in recent outings, resulting in his starting only one of the team's last five games. The team hopes Lyon will be back in time for the playoffs and that the extended off-time can help him reset and return to his early-season form.
With Alex Lyon (lower body) out week-to-week, Buffalo will turn to Ellis on the tail end of a back-to-back for his first start in over two months. The 25-year-old Ellis has been with the Sabres for most of the season, frequently suiting up as the team's backup goalie to keep their tandem fresh. He appeared in a game last week in relief of Lyon, saving 20 of 23 shots (.870 SV%) in an eventual 6-2 loss to the Washington Capitals. The Sabres enter Thursday's contest as slight -102 home underdogs against a Columbus Blue Jackets team desperate to stay within reach of the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Ellis has regularly served as Buffalo's backup goalie in recent weeks, and will return to the position on Wednesday as Alex Lyon is battling a lower-body injury. The 25-year-old Ellis as served as Buffalo's third goaltender for most of the season and has not had many opportunities to tend the twine.
Kozak has seen limited action in recent weeks, but he will re-enter the lineup on Wednesday against the New York Rangers. The 23-year-old Kozak is averaging 11:17 time-on-ice and has four points (2G / 2A) in 42 games this season.
