With Rasmus Dahlin (back spasms) out of the lineup, Gilbert will play his first game since November 16th. The 28-year-old Gilbert is averaging 10:50 time-on-ice, recording zero points, seven blocks, and 15 hits in six games.
Sabres' head coach Lindy Ruff is hopeful that Dahlin's injury will not be a long-term concern but his absence from the lineup on Thursday remains a crushing blow for the team. Dahlin exited Tuesday's game in the third period after playing 17:16 time-on-ice. The 24-year-old Dahlin has 19 points (6G / 13A) through 25 games this season. The Sabres recalled Ryan Johnson from Rochester (AHL) as a possible lineup replacement for Dahlin on the blueline.
The Sabres will attempt to snap a four-game losing skid on Thursday with Luukkonen between the pipes. The 25-year-old Luukkonen has been serviceable this season, posting a 2.69 GAA and .906 SV% in 17 games (8-6-2), but has struggled lately. In his last two games (0-1-1), Luukkonen has allowed nine goals on 63 shots (.857 SV%). The Sabres enter the action on Thursday as +115 home underdogs against a Winnipeg Jets club amid a four-game losing streak (0-4-0).
Johnson was the 31st overall pick of the Sabres in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old defenseman made his NHL debut last season, scoring seven points (0G / 7A) in 41 games. He has spent the entirety of the 2024-25 campaign with the Rochester Americans (AHL), scoring five points (0G / 5A) in 21 games. Johnson's call-up may indicate that Rasmus Dahlin (back spasms) could miss some time.
Dahlin exited Tuesday's game in the third period after playing 17:16 time-on-ice. There was no update on Dahlin following the game but he was dealing with a related issue during training camp. The 24-year-old Dahlin has 19 points (6G / 13A) through 25 games this season.
Luukkonen had the night off in the Sabres' last contest, a 3-0 loss to the New York Islanders, but he will return to the crease on Tuesday, attempting to snap the team's three-game losing skid. The 25-year-old Luukkonen has been solid between the pipes this season, posting a 2.54 GAA and .909 SV% in 16 appearances (8-5-2). The Sabres enter the action on Tuesday as +124 home underdogs against a Colorado Avalanche club outscored 9-4 over their previous two games (0-2-0).
Luukkonen had the night off in the Sabres' last contest, a 3-0 loss to the New York Islanders, but he will likely return to the crease on Tuesday, attempting to snap the team's three-game losing skid. The 25-year-old Luukkonen has been solid between the pipes this season, posting a 2.54 GAA and .909 SV% in 16 appearances (8-5-2). The Sabres enter the action on Tuesday as +124 home underdogs against a Colorado Avalanche club outscored 9-4 over their previous two games (0-2-0).
Lafferty exited Friday's game against the Vancouver Canucks after playing only 4:02 time-on-ice. Lafferty has just one goal and zero assists in 21 games this season, being held off the scoresheet in nine straight.
A 2021 seventh round draft pick, Kozak could be in line to make his NHL debut on Long Island on Saturday after Sam Lafferty left Friday's game with a lower-body injury. Kozak has five goals and one assist in 14 AHL games this season.
Lafferty is officially considered unlikely to play against the Islanders on Saturday. Lafferty has just one goal and zero assists in 21 games this season.
Lafferty exited Friday's game against the Vancouver Canucks after playing only 4:02 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury. Lafferty has been held without a point in nine straight games.
Luukkonen has bee solid between the pipes this season for the Sabres, posting a stellar 2.45 GAA and .914 SV% in 15 games (8-5-1). The Sabres enter the action on Friday as slight -102 home underdogs against the Vancouver Canucks.
The Sabres will attempt a season-best four-game winning streak on Wednesday with Luukkonen between the pipes against the Minnesota Wild. Luukkonen has been solid for the Sabres this season, with a .957 SV% in his last two games (2-0-0) and a 2.55 GAA and .910 SV% in 14 games this season (8-4-1). That said, the Sabres enter the action on Wednesday as +119 home underdogs against a Wild club coming off a 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.
Thompson has missed the last five games but will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Minnesota Wild. Before his injury, Thompson was off to a terrific start to the 2024-25 campaign, with 18 points (11G / 7A) in 15 games.
The Sabres will attempt a season-best four-game winning streak on Wednesday with Luukkonen between the pipes against the Minnesota Wild. Luukkonen has been solid for the Sabres this season, with a .957 SV% in his last two games (2-0-0) and a 2.55 GAA and .910 SV% in 14 games this season (8-4-1). That said, the Sabres enter the action on Wednesday as +119 home underdogs against a Wild club coming off a 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.
Rosen made his NHL debut last season, playing seven games with the Sabres, but has predominantly been an AHL player, including scoring 13 points (4G / 9A) in 14 games with the Rochester Americans this season. The 21-year-old Rosen was the 14th overall pick of the Sabres in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He returns to the Rochester Americans (AHL), clearing space for Tage Thompson to be activated from Injured Reserve.
Thompson has missed the last five games but has stated he is ready to return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Minnesota Wild. Before his injury, Thompson was off to a terrific start to the 2024-25 campaign, with 18 points (11G / 7A) in 15 games.
