Samuelsson played just 2:28 TOI before leaving Friday's game vs. the Flyers with a lower-body injury. If he's unavailable for Saturday's game in Toronto, look for Jacob Bryson to re-enter the Sabres' lineup.
Luukkonen will be the starter on Friday as the Sabres search for their third consecutive victory. Luukkonen has saved 61 of the last 63 shots he's faced (.968 SV%) over the last two games (2-0-0) and is currently doing everything in his ability to ensure he continues to see game-action, even with a healthy Devon Levi in the roster. The Sabres are -162 home favourites against a Philadelphia Flyers team that has been outscored 15-8 over their last three games (0-3-0) and will likely be without their starting goalie, Carter Hart.
Bryson will sit in the press box as a healthy scratch on Friday to make room for Connor Clifton, who will return to the Sabres lineup after serving a two-game suspension. During those two games, Bryson registered a -1 plus/minus, four blocks, and two hits while averaging 10:56 time-on-ice.
Tuch will play on Friday after not participating in practice on Thursday. In 10 games, Tuch has seven points (1G / 6A) while averaging 18:06 time-on-ice, over a full minute less than his average ice time during the 2022-23 season.
Benson has missed five of the last seven games with a lower-body injury and has been placed on the injured reserve, retroactive to October 29th. The rookie has two points (0G / 2A) along with six shots on goal while averaging 13:17 time-on-ice through six games.
Luukkonen appears to be the starter on Friday as the Sabres search for their third consecutive victory. Luukkonen has saved 61 of the last 63 shots he's faced (.968 SV%) over the last two games (2-0-0) and is currently doing everything in his ability to ensure he continues to see game-action, even with a healthy Devon Levi in the roster. The Sabres are -162 home favourites against a Philadelphia Flyers team that has been outscored 15-8 over their last three games (0-3-0) and will likely be without their starting goalie, Carter Hart.
Tuch did not participate in the Sabres' skate Thursday after missing practice due to maintenance and is a game-time decision Friday vs. Philadelphia after Lukas Rousek was recalled from Rochester (AHL). The 27-year-old right-winger has a goal, six assists, 20 SOG, 18 PIMs and a +1 plus/minus through 10 games this season.
Byram was listed as a game-time decision for Wednesday's game but will suit up for his ninth game of the season. Byram enters the evening with one goal and one assist (two points) while firing 11 shots on goal and averaging 18:39 TOI/gm.
Devon Levi has officially returned to the Sabres' lineup after missing five games with a lower-body injury but will serve as the backup, at least for his first game, to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Luukkonen didn't get his chance to be the number-one goaltender in Buffalo until Eric Comrie (lower-body) also went down with an injury but has filled in admirably after being called upon. Coming off his best performance thus far, a 23-save shutout victory over the Colorado Avalanche, Luukkonen has a 2.84 GAA and .915 SV% in three games this season (2-1-0). The Sabres are slight +101 road underdogs against a Philadelphia Flyers team that has done a decent job finding the back of the net, averaging 3.33 goals per game so far this season (4-4-1).
Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said Byram could play on Wednesday against the St. Louis Blue but will be a game-time decision. The 22-year-old defenseman has two points (1G / 1A) in eight games while averaging 18:40 time-on-ice. Caleb Jones was recalled earlier from the Colorado Eagles (AHL) and could be an option to slide into the lineup if Byram is unable to go.
Levi appears ready to return to the Sabres lineup on Wednesday after missing five games with a lower-body injury. He has a 3.26 GAA and .892 SV% in four games (1-3-0) this season. It is still unclear if Levi will return as the starting goalie or the backup on Wednesday to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who is coming off a 23-save shutout against the Colorado Avalanche.
Benson has been dealing with a lower-body injury that has kept him out of the lineup for three of the Sabres' last five games and has now been given a week-to-week designation. The rookie has two points (0G / 2A) along with six shots on goal while averaging 13:17 time-on-ice through six games.
With Eric Comrie and Devon Levi both still unavailable due to lower-body injuries, the Sabres will turn to Luukkonen on Sunday. Luukkonen stopped 18 of the 21 shots he faced in relief of Comrie in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Devils. The 24-year-old netminder will need to string together some stronger performances if he wants to continue challenging for starts following the returns of Levi and Comrie. Luukkonen owns an .881 SV% and a 4.78 GAA through two appearances this season.
With the Sabres' on the second half of a back-to-back, Devon Levi (lower-body) injured, and Eric Comrie starting yesterday, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to make his season debut Tuesday vs. Ottawa. Luukkonen has yet to make an appearance in 2023-24 but was 17-11-4 with a .892 SV% and a 3.61 GAA in 32 games started with the Sabres in 2022-23. He takes on the Ottawa Senators, who snapped a three-game losing streak with a loss last game but are third in the NHL in goals per game (4.2).
Zucker is week-to-week after exiting Saturday's game against the Anaheim Ducks with an upper-body injury. In his first season with the Coyotes, Zucker has two points (2G / 0A), 14 shots, and 7 hits in five games. Jan Jenik and Zach Sanford have both been recalled from the Tuscon Roadrunners (AHL).
With the Sabres' on the second half of a back-to-back, Devon Levi (lower-body) injured, and Eric Comrie starting yesterday, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to make his season debut Tuesday vs. Ottawa. Luukkonen has yet to make an appearance in 2023-24 but was 17-11-4 with a .892 SV% and a 3.61 GAA in 32 games started with the Sabres in 2022-23. He takes on the Ottawa Senators, who snapped a three-game losing streak with a loss last game but are third in the NHL in goals per game (4.2).
Levi will remain out of the lineup for at least the next two games while he recovers from a lower-body injury. Eric Comrie, who was excellent filling in for Levi on Saturday by making 24 of 25 saves in a 3-1 victory over the New York Islanders, will tend the crease for the Sabres on Monday. Levi has a 3.26 GAA and .890 SV% in four games (1-3-0) and isn't expected to miss a significant amount of time.
Levi is currently day-to-day as he nurses a lower-body injury and will not be in the Sabres' lineup Saturday. Levi has been the starting goalie for each of the Sabres' four games thus far (1-3-0), recording a 3.26 GAA and .890 SV%. Eric Comrie will be replacing him as the Sabres' starters net.
Benson was not a participant at practice on Friday as he recovers from a lower-body injury and will be out Saturday vs. the New York Islanders. The 18-year-old rookie has two points (0G / 2A) in four NHL games this season, averaging 14:03 time-on-ice. Since he cannot play Saturday, Benson will likely be replaced by Victor Olofsson, who is coming off consecutive healthy scratches.
