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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
Lyon will start on Wednesday vs. Winnipeg.

The Red Wings rank fifth-worst in the league in terms of xGA/60 but their goaltending has kept them afloat at times, most notably when Lyon has been between the pipes. The 31-year-old Lyon is boasting a sensational 2.05 GAA and .940 SV% through five outings (2-2-0). That said, the Red Wings have lost two straight, outscored 8-5, and rank sixth-worth in the league offensively with only 25 goals in nine games. The Red Wings will face off against a Winnipeg Jets club that lost their first game of the season on Monday (8-1-0).

Alex Lyon
Kesselring (illness) missed practice on Tuesday and will be a game-time decision on Wednesday vs. Calgary.

Kesselring has been a mainstay on Utah's blueline this season, but could be at jeopardy of missing his first game of the season on Wednesday as he is battling an illness. The 24-year-old Kesselring is off to a hot start, with five points (2G / 3A) in 10 games this season.

Michael Kesselring
Lyon is expected to start on Wednesday vs. Winnipeg.

The Red Wings rank fifth-worst in the league in terms of xGA/60 but their goaltending has kept them afloat at times, most notably when Lyon has been between the pipes. The 31-year-old Lyon is boasting a sensational 2.05 GAA and .940 SV% through five outings (2-2-0). That said, the Red Wings have lost two straight, outscored 8-5, and rank sixth-worth in the league offensively with only 25 goals in nine games. The Red Wings will face off against a Winnipeg Jets club that lost their first game of the season on Monday (8-1-0).

Alex Lyon
Utah reassigned Doan to Tucson (AHL) on Monday.

Doan is averaging 13:05 time-on-ice and has only two points (1G / 1A) in nine games this season after a considerably more productive trial run last season when he scored nine points (5G / 4A) in 11 games. After making him a healthy scratch on Monday, Utah is opting to send him down to Tucson where he can continue to play and further his development.

Josh Doan
Georgiev will start against the Blackhawks on Monday.

The Avalanche, riding a five-game winning streak, will turn to Georgiev between the pipes for the first time in 10 days. Georgiev backed up Justus Annunen for the last four games and will hope the rest helps him reset after a forgetful start to the 2024-25 season. In five games (1-3-0), Georgiev has an atrocious 4.99 GAA and .810 SV%. That said, Colorado enters the action on Monday as a sizeable -216 home favorite against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Alexandar Georgiev
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
Doan is expected to be a healthy scratch on Monday vs. San Jose.

Liam O'Brien will draw into Utah's lineup on Monday in favor of Doan, who will be a healthy scratch for the first time this season. The 22-year-old Doan is averaging 13:05 time-on-ice and has only two points (1G / 1A) in nine games this season after a considerably more productive trial run last season when he scored nine points (5G / 4A) in 11 games.

Josh Doan
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
Timmins is expected to draw back into Toronto's lineup on Monday in Winnipeg.

Timmins missed his second game of the season on Saturday but will return to the lineup on Monday, replacing Philippe Myers. The 26-year-old Timmins has two points (0G / 2A) while averaging 15:38 time-on-ice through seven games this season.

Conor Timmins
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
Georgiev will likely start Monday vs. the Blackhawks.

The Avalanche, riding a five-game winning streak, will likely turn to Georgiev between the pipes for the first time in 10 days. Georgiev backed up Justus Annunen for the last four games and will hope the rest helps him reset after a forgetful start to the 2024-25 season. In five games (1-3-0), Georgiev has an atrocious 4.99 GAA and .810 SV%. That said, Colorado enters the action on Monday as a sizeable -216 home favorite against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Alexandar Georgiev