For a fifth straight game (4-1-0), the Sabres will turn to Luukkonen between the pipes. The 25-year-old Finnish netminder has a 2.64 GAA and .910 SV% in 11 games this season (6-4-1). The Sabres enter the action as sizeable -220 home favorites against the Montreal Canadiens.
Mattias Samuelsson will draw into the Sabres' lineup on Monday, sending Gilbert to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 28-year-old Gilbert has been limited to only four games this season, averaging 10:15 time-on-ice.
Samuelsson has not played the previous three games but will re-enter the Sabres' lineup on Monday, replacing Dennis Gilbert. The 24-year-old Samuelsson is averaging 16:52 time-on-ice and has one point (1G / 0A) in 12 games this season.
The Sabres will roll with Luukkonen in the crease for a third straight game on Thursday when they visit the New York Rangers. Luukkonen was tremendous in his previous outing, saving 37 of 38 shots (.974 SV%) in a 5-1 win over the Ottawa Senators. The 25-year-old Luukkonen has taken the reins of the Sabres' crease despite a modest 2.92 GAA and .904 SV% through nine games (4-4-1). The Sabres enter the action on Thursday as +175 road underdogs against a Ranger club riding a two-game winning streak.
Clifton and Dennis Gilbert were surprise additions to Buffalo's lineup on Tuesday, with their additions not being announced prior to warmups. Mattias Samuelsson and Henri Jokiharju will both be healthy scratches in their place.
Gilbert and Connor Clifton were surprise additions to Buffalo's lineup on Tuesday, with their additions not being announced prior to warmups. Mattias Samuelsson and Henri Jokiharju will both be healthy scratches in their place.
Samuelsson was a surprise scratch on Tuesday along with Henri Jokiharju, with neither absence being announced prior to warmups. Connor Clifton and Dennis Gilbert will draw into the lineup in their place.
Jokiharju was a surprise scratch on Tuesday along with Mattias Samuelsson, with neither absence being announced prior to warmups. Connor Clifton and Dennis Gilbert will draw into the lineup in their place.
Benson has not played the last five games due to a lower-body injury but will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators. Benson had played six of seven games to start the season for the Sabres before his injury, scoring zero points and recording a -4 plus/minus. In a corresponding move, the Sabres have reassigned Jiri Kulich to the Rochester Americans (AHL).
With Zach Benson (lower body) ready to return from a five-game absence, Kulich has been sent down to the Rochester Americans (AHL). The 20-year-old Kulich scored one point (1G / 0A) in eight games with the Sabres this season.
The Sabres will turn to Luukkonen between the pipes on Tuesday for the sixth time in the last seven games. Luukkonen has lost two straight but was solid in his previous outing, allowing two goals on 23 shots (.913 SV%) in a 2-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. The 25-year-old Luukkonen will look to improve on his 3.16 GAA and .893 SV% through eight games this season (3-4-1). The Sabres enter the action on Tuesday as slight -100 underdogs against the Ottawa Senators, sporting a 6-5-0 record through 11 games this season.
The Sabres will likely turn to Luukkonen between the pipes on Tuesday for the sixth time in the last seven games. Luukkonen has lost two straight but was solid in his previous outing, allowing two goals on 23 shots (.913 SV%) in a 2-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. The 25-year-old Luukkonen will look to improve on his 3.16 GAA and .893 SV% through eight games this season (3-4-1). The Sabres enter the action on Tuesday as slight -100 underdogs against the Ottawa Senators, sporting a 6-5-0 record through 11 games this season.
Benson has not played the last five games due to a lower-body injury but has practiced with the team the last several days and could return to the lineup as soon as Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators. Benson had played six of seven games to start the season for the Sabres before his injury, scoring zero points and recording a -4 plus/minus.
