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).
Stecher has been in and out of the lineup lately, and will return to the sidelines on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals. The 32-year-old defenseman has zero points and a concerning -7 plus/minus rating in his last four games.
Since being officially eliminated from the playoffs, the Rangers have showcased their most impressive stretch of the season. The team is coming off a dominant 8-1 victory over the Washington Capitals, where Shesterkin saved 20 of 21 shots (.952 SV%). The 30-year-old Shesterkin has won three of his last four while posting a tremendous 1.51 GAA and .938 SV%. The Rangers enter Wednesday's contest as +125 home underdogs against a Buffalo Sabres team coming off an important 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning to help them inch closer to their goal of winning the Atlantic Division.
Stolarz was not especially sharp in his most recent outing, allowing three goals on 24 shots (.875 SV%) in a 4-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks. The 32-year-old Stolarz has had a largely disappointing 2025-26 campaign, but he has posted solid numbers in his last eight appearances (3-2-2), with a 2.65 GAA and .913 SV%. The Maple Leafs enter Wednesday's contest as +136 home underdogs against a Washington Capitals team that needs to bounce back after an embarrassing 8-1 loss to the New York Rangers to keep their dwindling playoff hopes alive.
With a myriad of injuries on Ottawa's blueline, Yakemchuk was recalled from Belleville (AHL) and made an unexpected NHL debut this season. The 20-year-old, seventh-overall pick from the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, scoring two points (1G / 1A) in four games with Ottawa, but with healthy bodies drawing back into the lineup, he will return to Belleville (AHL).
Villeneuve was drafted in the fourth-round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft by the Maple Leafs, but he has yet to play an NHL game. The 24-year-old defenseman has spent the past few seasons in the AHL and has 28 points (3G / 25A) in 58 games with the Marlies (AHL) this season.
Haymes is an undrafted forward that has spent the past two seasons in the AHL. The 22-year-old has yet to play and NHL game and has 32 points (17G / 15A) in 63 games with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) this season.
Chatfield exited Tuesday's game after only 13:54 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury. The severity of Chatfield's injury is unclear, but the team will likely err on the side of caution with the playoffs fast approaching. The 29-year-old defenseman has 17 points (2G / 15A) in 71 games this season.
Kulikov has been added to the growing list of Panthers with season-ending injuries, after suffering a broken finger on Tuesday. The 35-year-old Kulikov ends the 2025-26 season with zero points and 22 hits through 19 games.
Kadri was limited to only 6:09 time-on-ice before exiting Tuesday's 3-1 win over the St. Louis Blues due to an upper-body injury. The severity of Kadri's injury is unclear, but with the playoffs fast approaching, Colorado has erred on the side of caution with several minor injuries over the past weeks. The 35-year-old Kadri has nine points (4G / 5A) in 16 game with Colorado since being acquired at the trade deadline.
Korczak will take a seat on Tuesday in favour of Ben Hutton. Korczak has three goals and 11 assists in 75 games this season.
Hutton will make his first appearance since March 28th when the Golden Knights visit Vancouver on Tuesday. Kaedan Korczak will sit in his place.
Smith will get the night off when the Golden Knights visit Vancouver on Tuesday in favour of Brandon Saad. Smith has 13 goals and nine assists in 67 games this season.
Saad will slot in for the first time since March 8th when the Golden Knights travel to Vancouver on Tuesday. Reilly Smith will sit in his place.
