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Buffalo Sabres News
Benson (lower-body) returned to practice Friday and is a possibility to return next week.

Benson has not played the last three games due to a lower-body injury but is nearing a return after returning to practice on Friday. Benson has played six of seven games to start the season for the Sabres before his injury, scoring zero points and recording a -4 plus/minus.

Zach Benson
Levi will start on Friday vs. the Islanders.

After evenly alternating goalies for the first two weeks of the season, the Sabres settled into starting Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for the last five games. That said, they will return to Levi between the pipes on Friday in the front end of a back-to-back. The 23-year-old Levi started the season strong in his first two outings before a disastrous performance, allowing six goals on 25 shots (.760 SV%) in a 6-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, keeping him from occupying the net in two weeks. The Sabres enter the action on Friday as -111 home favorites against a New York Islanders club that has scored only 22 goals this season, tied for fewest in the league.

Devon Levi
Levi is in the starter's net at Buffalo's morning skate.

After evenly alternating goalies for the first two weeks of the season, the Sabres settled into starting Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for the last five games. That said, they will likely return to Levi between the pipes on Friday in the front end of a back-to-back. The 23-year-old Levi started the season strong in his first two outings before a disastrous performance, allowing six goals on 25 shots (.760 SV%) in a 6-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, keeping him from occupying the net in two weeks. The Sabres enter the action on Friday as -111 home favorites against a New York Islanders club that has scored only 22 goals this season, tied for fewest in the league.

Devon Levi
Benson (lower-body) has been placed on IR.

Benson has played six of seven games to start the season for the Sabres, scoring zero points and recording a -4 plus/minus, but has missed the last two due to a lower-body injury. Benson's move to Injured Reserve allows Aube-Kubel to draw back into the lineup for the Sabres.

Zach Benson
Luukkonen will start on Monday vs. Florida.

After evenly rotating between Devon Levi and Luukkonen in the first six games of the season, Luukkonen seems to have settled in as the Sabres' starting netminder and will be in the crease for a fourth straight contest on Monday night against the Florida Panthers. The 25-year-old Luukkonen was inconsistent at the start of the season but has allowed three or fewer goals in his last three outings (3-0-0), posting a solid .924 SV%. The Sabres enter the action on Monday as +134 home underdogs against the Panthers.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Power (illness) is expected to be available on Monday vs. Florida.

Power exited Saturday's 5-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings in the third period due to an illness but was back at practice on Sunday and will be in the lineup on Monday against the Florida Panthers. The 22-year-old defenseman is riding a four-game point streak, scoring six points (1G / 5A).

Owen Power
Luukkonen is in the starter's net at Buffalo's morning skate.

After evenly rotating between Devon Levi and Luukkonen in the first six games of the season, Luukkonen seems to have settled in as the Sabres' starting netminder and will likely be in the crease for a fourth straight contest on Monday night against the Florida Panthers. The 25-year-old Luukkonen was inconsistent at the start of the season but has allowed three or fewer goals in his last three outings (3-0-0), posting a solid .924 SV%. The Sabres enter the action on Monday as +134 home underdogs against the Panthers.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen