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.
Logan Stanley will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Timmins to re-enter the lineup. The 27-year-old Timmins is averaging 18:56 time-on-ice and has seven assists in 36 games this season.
For the first four weeks following the Olympic break, the Sabres had an equal goalie rotation, but with Alex Lyon struggling in recent games, the team will turn to Luukkonen for his fifth start in their last six games. The 27-year-old Luukkonen was solid in his most recent outing, saving 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Since returning from the Olympic break, Luukkonen has boasted an impressive 2.25 GAA and .921 SV% in 12 games (9-2-1). The Sabres enter Wednesday's contest as -138 home favourites against a suddenly surging New York Rangers team that has outscored opponents 27-8 in their last six games (5-1-0).
Luke Schenn will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Kesselring to re-enter the lineup. The 26-yeaer-old Kesselring has not played in four weeks. He has two assists and is averaging 13:26 time-on-ice through 32 games this season.
Michael Kesselring will re-enter Buffalo's lineup on Wednesday, sending Schenn to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 36-year-old Schenn has been used sparingly since being acquired by Buffalo at the trade deadline. The 36-year-old defenseman has zero points and seven hits in three games with Buffalo.
Lyon was already schedule to not dress in Wednesday's game against the New York Rangers, as the Sabres have regularly had Colten Ellis serve as the team's back up goalie, but now he will be sidelined due to a lower-body ailment. The 33-year-old Lyon has struggled in recent outings, resulting in his starting only one of the team's last five games. The severity of Lyon's injury is unclear, but the team will hope he can use the time off to reset and return to his early-season form.
For the first four weeks following the Olympic break, the Sabres had an equal goalie rotation, but with Alex Lyon struggling in recent games, the team will turn to Luukkonen for his fifth start in their last six games. The 27-year-old Luukkonen was solid in his most recent outing, saving 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Since returning from the Olympic break, Luukkonen has boasted an impressive 2.25 GAA and .921 SV% in 12 games (9-2-1). The Sabres enter Wednesday's contest as -138 home favourites against a suddenly surging New York Rangers team that has outscored opponents 27-8 in their last six games (5-1-0).
For the first four weeks following the Olympic break, the Sabres had an equal goalie rotation, but with Alex Lyon struggling in recent games, the team will turn to Luukkonen for his fourth start in their last five games. The 27-year-old Luukkonen was solid in his most recent outing, saving 20 of 22 shots (.909 SV%), but did not receive enough goal support in an eventual 4-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Since returning from the Olympic break, Luukkonen is boasting an impressive 2.30 GAA and .921 SV% in 11 games (8-2-1). The Sabres enter Monday's contest as +105 home underdogs against the Tampa Bay Lightning in a must-win game if they have any intentions of winning the Atlantic Division.
Zach Metsa will be a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Schenn to re-enter the lineup. The 36-year-old Schenn has not played in over three weeks and has only played two games with the Sabres since being acquired at the trade deadline.
Luke Schenn will draw back into Buffalo's lineup on Monday, sending Metsa to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 27-year-old Metsa, in his first NHL season, is averaging 10:40 time-on-ice and has six points (2G / 4A) in 41 games.
For the first four weeks following the Olympic break, the Sabres had an equal goalie rotation, but with Alex Lyon struggling in recent games, the team will turn to Luukkonen for his fourth start in their last five games. The 27-year-old Luukkonen was solid in his most recent outing, saving 20 of 22 shots (.909 SV%), but did not receive enough goal support in an eventual 4-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Since returning from the Olympic break, Luukkonen is boasting an impressive 2.30 GAA and .921 SV% in 11 games (8-2-1). The Sabres enter Monday's contest as +105 home underdogs against the Tampa Bay Lightning in a must-win game if they have any intentions of winning the Atlantic Division.
Lyon gave up four goals on 19 shots in the Sabres' loss to the Red Wings last Friday. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen started the last three games but the Sabres are expected to go with Lyon for Saturday's game in Washington. He's given up 10 goals on 52 shots (.808 SV%) in his last two starts, but is 10-3-2 with a 2.59 GAA, .910 SV% and two shutouts on the road this year.
After equally alternating starts between Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon for four consecutive weeks, the Sabres will turn to Luukkonen on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators for his third consecutive contest. The 27-year-old Luukkonen has a terrific 1.96 GAA and .933 SV% in his last five games (4-0-1). That said, the Sabres enter Thursday's contest as slight +106 road underdogs against a Senators team coming off an embarrassing 6-3 loss to the Florida Panthers.
Sam Carrick (upper body) will not play on Thursday, allowing Dunne to play for the first time in over three weeks. The 27-year-old Dunne is averaging 9:31 time-on-ice and has four points (1G / 3A) in 31 games this season.
Carrick suffered an upper-body injury in a fight with Anders Lee of the New York Islanders and did not return to the game. The 34-year-old has 16 points (9G / 7A) and 65 penalty minutes in 73 games this season and is now expected to be out week-to-week. Josh Dunne will draw into the lineup as Carrick's replacement.
After equally alternating starts between Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon for four consecutive weeks, the Sabres will turn to Luukkonen on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators for his third consecutive contest. The 27-year-old Luukkonen has a terrific 1.96 GAA and .933 SV% in his last five games (4-0-1). That said, the Sabres enter Thursday's contest as slight +106 road underdogs against a Senators team coming off an embarrassing 6-3 loss to the Florida Panthers.
Strbak is a Slovak-born defenseman that was just awarded a three-year, entry-level contract after completing his third season of collegiate hockey. The 20-year-old 45th-overall pick from the 2023 NHL Entry Draft had 18 points (3G / 15A) in 37 games this season with Michigan State University.
