Buffalo Sabres News

Georgiev has quality starts in three of his last four outings and will look to continue his strong play on Thursday when the Avalanche welcome the Winnipeg Jets. In his past four games (2-1-1), Georgiev has a stellar .929 SV%, allowing only 10 total goals in that stretch. The Avalanche are -130 home favourites in their first game this season against the Jets, who are averaging only 2.0 goals per game over their last seven contests (4-3-0).

Crevier was a healthy scratch for the Blackhawks' previous game but will draw back into the lineup Thursday vs. Anaheim as he replaces Jarred Tinordi (concussion). The 22-year-old towering defence man (6'8") will make only his second career NHL appearance Thursday and is expected to be on Chicago's third pairing alongside Nikita Zaitsev.

Luukkonen was unavailable Tuesday due to an illness and will not travel with the Sabres' on their upcoming road trip to Boston. The 24-year-old has steady enough this season to take over the Sabres' starting role due to his 6-5-1 record, .907 SV% and 2.81 GAA. Devon Levi was recalled from Rochester (AHL) Tuesday in a corresponding move and should fill in for Luukkonen for the time being.

Dahlin left Tuesday's practice early and was absent Wednesday due to a lower-body injury and is considered "banged up" for the time being but will travel with the team on their upcoming road trip to Boston. The 23-year-old superstar defensemen is on pace for yet another strong statistical season, with his six goals, 15 assists, 66 SOG, 20 PIMs and -10 plus/minus in 26 games played.

Georgiev is the starter for the Avalanche in a favourable matchup against the Anaheim Ducks and their fifth-worst offence in the league (2.75 GF / GP). The Avalanche have lost three straight contests (0-1-2), including a 4-3 shootout loss to the Ducks last week with Ivan Prosvetov between the pipes, but are still sizeable -286 home favourites against the Ducks, whose only victory in their last nine games was against the Avalanche (1-8-0). Meanwhile, Georgiev has played admirably lately, allowing only 12 total goals in his five games (3-3-1), boasting a .924 SV%.

Dennis Gilbert will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Ilya Solovyov to draw back into the lineup. In his most recent game, Gilbert played 11:31 time-on-ice, registered two hits, and suffered a -2 plus/minus rating in a 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks.

Georgiev is the likely starter for the Avalanche in a favourable matchup against the Anaheim Ducks and their fifth-worst offence in the league (2.75 GF / GP). The Avalanche have lost three straight contests (0-1-2), including a 4-3 shootout loss to the Ducks last week with Ivan Prosvetov between the pipes, but are still sizeable -286 home favourites against the Ducks, whose only victory in their last nine games was against the Avalanche (1-8-0). Meanwhile, Georgiev has played admirably lately, allowing only 12 total goals in his five games (3-3-1), boasting a .924 SV%.

Crevier played 15:59 in his NHL debut on Sunday and was held without a point, but had one shot on goal, one block, and two hits. Crevier was recalled last week from the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL, where he has five points (0G / 5A) in 16 games.

Johnson played 15:23 in the Sabres' last game on Sunday but will return to the press box as a healthy scratch for the second time in their last three games. The 22-year-old rookie is averaging 14:08 time-on-ice and has one point (0G / 1A) and 10 blocks through 13 games this season.

The Sabres have recalled Devon Levi, likely to serve as backup to Eric Comrie, while Luukkonen is unable to suit up due to an illness. Luukkonen has unquestionably been the most dynamic and consistent of the three Sabres goaltenders this season, with seven quality starts through 11 games (.636 QS %). Expect Luukkonen to regain command of the starters as soon as he recovers.

Thompson is expected to make his much awaited return Tuesday after taking full part in practice earlier. His presence at morning skate on Tuesday is a welcoming sign for a Sabres' team that has struggled to generate consistent offence in his absence. Thompson last played on November 14th and was not having the season the elite centre iceman was expecting after a breakout 2022-23 campaign, scoring only 12 points (6G / 6A) through 16 games.

Lyon has undoubtedly been the Red Wings' best goaltender since making his debut several weeks ago and will start for the fifth time in their last eight games on Tuesday. In four games (3-1-0), Lyon has a sparkling 1.26 GAA and .958 SV%. His .750 quality start rate this season is through a very small sample size but seems mildly attainable given that he had a .714 QS% through 14 starts last season. The Red Wings have won five of their last six (5-1-0) and are -132 road favourites against a Buffalo Sabres team that has lost three straight (0-3-0), being outscored 14-7 in the process.

The Avalanche will hand the reigns back over to Georgiev on Sunday after Ivan Prosvetov got the start in Anaheim on Saturday. Georgiev took the loss in his last start in Thursday's game in Arizona, allowing four goals on 32 shots in the 4-3 overtime defeat. He's struggled to find his form this season, posting an .897 SV% across a league leading 19 appearances. He has a difficult task ahead of him on Sunday with the Avs being slight road underdogs (+115) in Los Angeles.

Luukkonen will get the nod on Sunday after Eric Comrie got the start in Saturday's 6-2 defeat in Carolina. Luukkonen struggled his last time out, surrendering six goals on just 20 shots in a 6-4 loss at the hands of the Blues. The 24-year-old netminder has posted a .905 SV% and a 2.88 GAA to go along with his 6-4-1 record on the season.