Buffalo Sabres News

The Sabres have favored rookie Colten Ellis in recent games, but they will likely turn to Luukkonen on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Luukkonen was injured for the first four weeks of the season and has been inconsistent in limited use since. The 26-year-old Finnish netminder has a 3.02 GAA and .883 SV% in four games this season (1-2-1). The Sabres enter Friday's contest as -180 home favorites against a Blackhawks team that played last night and allowed three unanswered goals in a 3-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken.

Sabres' Head Coach Lindy Ruff insisted that he trusted Ellis because of the big saves he was making with the games on the line, and as such, he will roll with Ellis for the fourth time in the last week. The 25-year-old rookie netminder was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 32 of 33 shots (.970 SV%) in Buffalo's 5-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers. He has a 2.76 GAA and .914 SV% in four games this season (3-1-0). The Sabres enter Wednesday's contest as -154 home favourites against a struggling Calgary Flames team that lost 5-2 last night to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Benson has not played since October 30th due to a lower-body injury, but has returned to practice, and should return to the lineup shortly. The 20-year-old Benson was off to a hot start before his injury, scoring eight points (0G / 8A) through eight games.

Zucker has missed seven straight games, but returned to practice this week, and should return to the lineup on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 33-year-old Zucker is averaging 14:44 time-on-ice, recording seven points (4G / 3A), 15 hits, and 27 shots in 12 games this season.

Sabres' Head Coach Lindy Ruff insisted that he trusted Ellis because of the big saves he was making with the games on the line, and as such, he will roll with Ellis for the fourth time in the last week. The 25-year-old rookie netminder was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 32 of 33 shots (.970 SV%) in Buffalo's 5-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers. He has a 2.76 GAA and .914 SV% in four games this season (3-1-0). The Sabres enter Wednesday's contest as -154 home favourites against a struggling Calgary Flames team that lost 5-2 last night to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Kesselring did not make his season debut until late October and will be sidelined again after suffering an injury over the weekend. He was seen leaving the arena in a walking boot and is expected to be out of the lineup indefinitely. The 25-year-old Kesselring was averaging 15:37 time-on-ice and scored zero points through nine games before his injury.

Kesselring did not make his season debut until late October and will be sidelined again after suffering an injury in Buffalo's most recent game. He was seen leaving the arena in a walking boot and is expected to be out of the lineup indefinitely. The 25-year-old Kesselring was averaging 15:37 time-on-ice and scored zero points through nine games before his injury.

Metsa made his NHL debut earlier this season, playing four games with the Sabres, but has spent most of 2025-26 in the AHL. The undrafted 27-year-old defenseman has been productive with the Rochester Americans (AHL), scoring 11 points (2G / 9A) in 11 games.

The Sabres snapped a three-game losing skid in their most recent game and will hope for consecutive victories, turning to Ellis between the pipes against the Edmonton Oilers. The 25-year-old Ellis has been serviceable through three games in his NHL career (2-1-0), posting a 3.36 GAA and .895 SV%. The Sabres enter Monday's contest as +138 home underdogs against an Oilers team that has won three of their last four (3-1-0).

Zucker has missed Buffalo's last six games due to an illness, but was back at practice on Monday. The 33-year-old Zucker is averaging 14:44 time-on-ice, recording seven points (4G / 3A), 15 hits, and 27 shots in 12 games this season.

Norris has not played since suffering an injury in Buffalo's season opener, but was at practice on Monday. The 26-year-old Norris has missed significant time over the previous few seasons due to shoulder injuries but it's unclear if his current injury is related.

Kesselring did not make his season debut until late October and will be sidelined again after suffering an injury in Buffalo's most recent game. He was seen leaving the arena in a walking boot and is expected to be out of the lineup indefinitely. The 25-year-old Kesselring was averaging 15:37 time-on-ice and scored zero points through nine games before his injury.

The Sabres snapped a three-game losing skid in their most recent game and will hope for consecutive victories, likely turning to Ellis between the pipes against the Edmonton Oilers. The 25-year-old Ellis has been serviceable through three games in his NHL career (2-1-0), posting a 3.36 GAA and .895 SV%. The Sabres enter Monday's contest as +138 home underdogs against an Oilers team that has won three of their last four (3-1-0).