Thompson was a late scratch for Wednesday's game, with the team only announcing his absence just over 30 minutes before puck drop. Thompson has nine goals and ten assists in 26 games this season. Tyson Jost will draw into the Sabres' lineup and centre the first line in Thompson's absence.
Alex Vlasic will enter the lineup in favour of Crevier, who will exit the lineup for the first time since December 5th. While playing nine consecutive games for the Blackhawks, Crevier recorded three points (0G / 3A) and a -5 plus/minus.
Kulich has only played one game with the Sabres this season, spending most of his time with the Rochester Americans of the AHL, where he has 22 points (16G / 6A) in 23 games. The Sabres' 28th overall pick from the 2022 NHL Entry Draft has been reassigned to the Czech National Junior Team and will participate in the World Junior Tournament for the third straight year.
Georgiev allowed three goals on 22 shots (.864 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday but will return to the crease for his third straight start on Thursday. Georgiev has a below-.500 rating over his last seven outings (2-3-1), posting an unimpressive .889 SV%. The 27-year-old netminder's quality of play has significantly worsened from his stellar 2022-23 campaign when he finished the season with a 2.53 GAA and .918 SV% in 62 games (40-16-6). That said, the Avalanche are sizeable -160 home favourites against the Ottawa Senators, who are losers of five straight.
Georgiev allowed three goals on 22 shots (.864 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday but will likely return to the crease for his third straight start on Thursday. Georgiev has a below-.500 rating over his last seven outings (2-3-1), posting an unimpressive .889 SV%. The 27-year-old netminder's quality of play has significantly worsened from his stellar 2022-23 campaign when he finished the season with a 2.53 GAA and .918 SV% in 62 games (40-16-6). That said, the Avalanche are sizeable -160 home favourites against the Ottawa Senators, who are losers of five straight.
Johnson did not play in Tuesday's 9-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets but will draw back into the lineup on Thursday against the Maple Leafs. In his last two games, Johnson is averaging 11:50 time-on-ice, has a -1 plus/minus, and two hits.
Georgiev served as the backup for the Avalanche in two straight games last week but will return to the crease after a strong performance in their last game, saving 25 of 27 shots (.926 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. Georgiev has an unimpressive 2.96 GAA and .897 SV% through 24 games this season (15-7-1) but has a favourable matchup on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks, whom he saved 18 shots against on October 19th for his only shutout of the season.
Georgiev served as the backup for the Avalanche in two straight games last week but will likely return to the crease after a strong performance in their last game, saving 25 of 27 shots (.926 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. Georgiev has an unimpressive 2.96 GAA and .897 SV% through 24 games this season (15-7-1) but has a favourable matchup on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks, whom he saved 18 shots against on October 19th for his only shutout of the season.
Johnson has only played five of nine games for the Sabres in December, scoring zero points, four shots, and two hits. He will return to his familiar spot in the press box on Tuesday as a healthy scratch.
Before the start of the season, Quinn was scheduled to return around Christmas and the 22-year-old will do so on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets as he completes his recovery from Achilles surgery. Quinn had a solid rookie season, scoring 14 goals with 23 assists (37 points) in 75 games. At practice on Monday, he skated on a line with Tage Thompson and Zach Benson.
Lyon exited Saturday's game for the Red Wings in the second period after saving 14 of 15 shots (.933 SV%) with a lower-body injury. It was announced before Monday's game that he is week-to-week after he did not participate in practice on Monday. Ville Husso will likely see the majority of the action while Lyon is out, with James Reimer serving as the backup.
Before the start of the season, Quinn was scheduled to return around Christmas and appears on course to do so as soon as Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets as he completes his recovery from Achilles surgery. Quinn had a solid rookie season, scoring 14 goals with 23 assists (37 points) in 75 games. At practice on Monday, he skated on a line with Tage Thompson and Zach Benson.
Lyon exited Saturday's game for the Red Wings in the second period after saving 14 of 15 shots (.933 SV%) with a lower-body injury. His status is still to be determined, but he did not participate in practice on Monday. Ville Husso will likely see the majority of the action while Lyon is out, with James Reimer serving as the backup.
Ryan Johnson will re-enter the Sabres' lineup on Friday as Erik Johnson will be a healthy scratch. Ryan Johnson last played on December 11th and has one point (0G / 1A) and 11 blocks while averaging 14:22 time-on-ice through 15 games.
