Just minutes before the Free Agency deadline, Buffalo has announced that they have extended 23-year-old defenseman Ryan Johnson to a three-year, $2.325 million contract extension ($775,000 AAV). Johnson only appeared in three games for the Sabres in 2024-25 but will provide some much-needed defensive depth heading into the 2025-26 season as he is expected to compete for a roster spot in training camp.

The 2020 No.8 overall pick had another decent, but unspectacular season in 2024-25, scoring 15 goals with 24 assists (39 points) in 74 games. He's now averaging 45 points (18G / 27A) per 82 games for his NHL career, so the Sabres signed him to a two-year bridge deal to see if he can unlock any more offence.

Two days before the NHL Draft, Buffalo has moved on from 23-year-old JJ Peterka by acquiring Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring on Wednesday night. Kesselring will join his third organization after being drafted by Edmonton in the sixth round of the 2018 draft (164th overall) and debuting with Arizona in 2022-23. The 25-year-old has the potential to be a top-four defenseman as shown by his seven goals, 29 points, 89 PIMs and 150 SOG in 82 GP with Utah in 2024-25.

After just 62 games with Utah and Arizona, Josh Doan has been acquired alongside Michael Kesselring by Buffalo for JJ Peterka on Wednesday. The 23-year-old right-winger was Arizona's 2021 2nd-round pick (37th overall) and made an impressive debut in 2023-24 with five goals and nine points in his first 11 games played. He struggled to find the same offensive spark last year, but still put up seven goals, 19 points and 88 SOG in 51 games played in his sophomore campaign.

Lyon will start the Red Wings' penultimate game of the 2024-25 season when they travel to New Jersey on Wednesday. Lyon picked up the victory in his last outing, allowing three goals on 21 shots in a 4-3 overtime win in Tampa Bay on Friday. The 32-year-old netminder owns a 13-9-1 record and an .895 SV% on the season. Lyon and the Red Wings enter action on Wednesday as slight favourites at -140 on the money line.

The last-place San Jose Sharks enter their final game of the season on Wednesday, turning to Georgiev between the pipes. Georgiev was excellent in his most recent outing but did not receive ample goalie support, saving 35 of 37 shots (.946 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks. The 29-year-old goalie has a 3.74 GAA and .874 SV% in 48 appearances this season (15-25-4). The Sharks enter Wednesday's season-finale as +194 home underdogs against an Edmonton Oilers team coming off a 5-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

The last-place San Jose Sharks enter their final game of the season on Wednesday, likely turning to Georgiev between the pipes. Georgiev was excellent in his most recent outing but did not receive ample goalie support, saving 35 of 37 shots (.946 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks. The 29-year-old goalie has a 3.74 GAA and .874 SV% in 48 appearances this season (15-25-4). The Sharks enter Wednesday's season-finale as +194 home underdogs against an Edmonton Oilers team coming off a 5-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

Rosen played six games with the Sabres earlier this this season but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL. The 14th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft scored 55 points (28G / 27A) in 60 games this season with the Rochester Americans (AHL).

The Sabres are coming off a 7-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning and will turn to Luukkonen between the pipes on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Luukkonen has not played much lately but was stellar in his most recent outing, saving 32 of 34 shots (.941 SV%) in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers. The 26-year-old Luukkonen has a 3.20 GAA and .886 SV% in 54 appearances this season (24-23-5). The Sabres enter Tuesday's contest as +138 home underdogs against a Maple Leafs team riding a three-game winning streak.

Malenstyn showed no signs of an ailment in Buffalo's previous game but he will be sidelined on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 27-year-old is averaging 10:32 time-on-ice and has 10 points (4G / 6A) in 76 games this season.

The Sabres are coming off a 7-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning and will likely turn to Luukkonen between the pipes on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Luukkonen has not played much lately but was stellar in his most recent outing, saving 32 of 34 shots (.941 SV%) in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers. The 26-year-old Luukkonen has a 3.20 GAA and .886 SV% in 54 appearances this season (24-23-5). The Sabres enter Tuesday's contest as +138 home underdogs against a Maple Leafs team riding a three-game winning streak.

Urho Vaakanainen will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the Florida Panthers, allowing Jones to re-enter the lineup. The 24-year-old Jones has not played since April 9th and has 11 points (1G / 10A) in 44 games this season.

The Sharks have lost nine straight (0-7-2) and will turn to Georgiev in their second-last game of the season. The 29-year-old Georgiev allowed eight goals on 44 shots (.818 SV%) in his most recent outing, an 8-7 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild. He has an ugly 3.79 GAA and .872 SV% in 47 appearances this season (15-25-3). The Sharks enter Monday's contest as +276 road underdogs against a Vancouver Canucks team with points in three straight (2-0-1).

Lyon will get the call for the tail-end of Detroit's back-to-back on Friday night in Tampa. Lyon hasn't played since March 27th when he was pulled after allowing three goals on ten shots in an eventual 4-3 loss to the Senators. The 32-year-old netminder owns a 12-9-1 record and an .896 SV% on the season. Lyon will have to be at his absolute best on Friday, as the Red Wings enter action as sizable underdogs at +240 on the money line.