Tuch did not practice on Wednesday, and his status remains uncertain for Thursday's game against the Washington Capitals. The 29-year-old forward has 57 points (28G / 29A) in 64 games this season, including nine points (6G / 3A) during a seven-game point streak.
The Atlantic Division-leading Buffalo Sabres seem to win regardless of who is tending the twine and, as such, will keep their goalie rotation going on Thursday against the Washington Capitals, turning to Luukkonen. The 27-year-old Luukkonen is coming off one of his worst statistical outings of the season, allowing seven goals on 28 shots (.750 SV%), but the powerhouse Sabres still salvaged an 8-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Sabres have wins in six of Luukonen's last seven appearances (6-1-0), while he boasts a solid 2.77 GAA and .911 SV%. The Sabres enter Thursday's contest as -195 home favourites against a Capitals team that played last night and lost 4-1 to the Philadelphia Flyers.
Metsa will be the odd-man out on the Sabres back-end on Tuesday in order to make way for Logan Stanley's debut. Metsa has two goals and two assists in 33 games this season.
Stanley was acquired at the trade deadline along with Luke Schenn from Winnipeg for Isak Rosen, Jacob Bryson, a 2027 2nd Round Pick, and conditional 2026 4th Round Pick as a consolation prize. Stanley is a 27-year-old towering defender who had spent his first six NHL seasons with WInnipeg. He has already set career highs in most statistical categories this season including goals (9), points (21), PIMs (99) and PPP (1).
The Sabres have evenly rotated goalies since returning from the Olympic break and will continue that trend on Tuesday, with Lyon tending the twine against the San Jose Sharks. The 33-year-old Lyon was solid in his most recent outing, saving 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators, and has been excellent for most of the season. In his last 16 games, Lyon has only two losses (14-2-0), boasting an impressive 2.32 GAA and .925 SV%. The Sabres enter Tuesday's contest as sizable -202 home favourites against a Sharks team that has scored two or fewer goals in three of their last four games (2-0-2).
The Sabres have evenly rotated goalies since returning from the Olympic break and will continue that trend on Tuesday, with Lyon tending the twine against the San Jose Sharks. The 33-year-old Lyon was solid in his most recent outing, saving 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators, and has been excellent for most of the season. In his last 16 games, Lyon has only two losses (14-2-0), boasting an impressive 2.32 GAA and .925 SV%. The Sabres enter Tuesday's contest as sizable -202 home favourites against a Sharks team that has scored two or fewer goals in three of their last four games (2-0-2).
Buffalo bolstered their offensive depth at the deadline, adding Tanner Pearson, as they have their sights set on ending a long playoff drought. The 33-year-old Pearson averaged 10:53 time-on-ice and scored 13 points (7G / 6A) in 52 games with Winnipeg this season.
Kulich has not played since November 1st after suffering a blood clot and has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. The 21-year-old Czech forward had five points (3G / 2A) in 12 games.
Carrick was one of many Ranger players on the trade block and finds himself in Buffalo after the Sabres traded a 2026 3rd round pick and a 2026 6th round pick (CHI) to the New York Rangers to acquire him. The 34-year-old veteran forward has reached double digit points (10) for just the 4th time in his 11 NHL seasons and should play a complimentary role in Buffalo's bottom-six.
Buffalo added to their defensive depth late Thursday after they announced they had trade for Luke Schenn and Logan Stanley from Winnipeg for Isak Rosen, Jacob Bryson, a 2027 2nd Round Pick, and conditional 2026 4th Round Pick. Schenn will join his 10th NHL franchise in his 18th NHL season and has a goal, seven points and 32 PIMs in 46 games played so far in 2025-26.
After Buffalo missed out on Colton Parakyo earlier on Thursday, they ended the day by acquiring defensemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn from Winnipeg for Isak Rosen, Jacob Bryson, a 2027 2nd Round Pick, and conditional 2026 4th Round Pick as a consolation prize. Stanley is a 27-year-old towering defender who had spent his first six NHL seasons with WInnipeg. He has already set career highs in most statistical categories this season including goals (9), points (21), PIMs (99) and PPP (1).
Carrick was one of many Ranger players on the trade block and finds himself in Buffalo after the Sabres traded a 2026 3rd round pick and a 2026 6th round pick (CHI) to New York to acquire him. The 34-year-old veteran forward has reached double digit points (10) for just the 4th time in his 11 NHL seasons and should play a complimentary role in Buffalo's bottom-six.
With this being the final game before the trade deadline and Schenn presumably being healthy, scratching him seems likely to be due to roster management reasons. Logan Stanley will also join Schenn in the press box on Thursday, while Isaak Phillips and Ville Heinola will draw into the lineup.
With this being the final game before the trade deadline and Stanley presumably being healthy, scratching him seems likely to be due to roster management reasons. Luke Schenn will also join Stanley in the press box on Thursday, while Isaak Phillips and Ville Heinola will draw into the lineup.
The Sabres have received stout netminding regardless of who tends the twine lately, and they will continue their goalie rotation on Thursday, turning to Luukkonen against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 26-year-old Finnish goalie was outstanding in his previous outing, saving 36 of 38 shots (.947 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has an excellent 1.51 GAA and .955 SV% in two games since returning from the Olympic break (2-0-0). The Sabres enter Thursday's contest as -109 road favourites against a Penguins team that defeated them 5-2 last month.
The Sabres have received stout netminding regardless of who tends the twine lately, and they will continue their goalie rotation on Thursday, turning to Luukkonen against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 26-year-old Finnish goalie was outstanding in his previous outing, saving 36 of 38 shots (.947 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has an excellent 1.51 GAA and .955 SV% in two games since returning from the Olympic break (2-0-0). The Sabres enter Thursday's contest as -109 road favourites against a Penguins team that defeated them 5-2 last month.
The Sabres have received excellent tandem goaltending from Alex Lyon and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, aiding them to come out of the Olympic break with a three-game winning streak, looking to extend it to four with Lyon tending the twine on Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 33-year-old Lyon was stellar in his previous outing, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Florida Panthers. He has been near-perfect in recent weeks, winning 12 of 14 games (12-2-0), posting an impressive 2.27 GAA and .925 SV%. The Sabres enter Tuesday's contest as -137 home favourites against a Golden Knights team coming off an embarrassing 5-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
