Buffalo Sabres Face Challenges
The Buffalo Sabres are facing challenges on the ice as they have lost their second consecutive game, this time against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, North Carolina. The deciding moment came in the third period when Seth Jarvis scored during a power play, securing a 2-1 victory for the Hurricanes. Rasmus Dahlin managed to score for the Sabres, while goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stood strong with 27 saves despite the defeat.
Upcoming Matches
Looking ahead, the Sabres will be on the road for five games, with their next matchup set for Tuesday against the Nashville Predators. It’s uncertain who will be starting in goal for Buffalo in this back-to-back series, as both Colten Ellis and Alex Lyon are options. Lyon has been on the sidelines since December 29th but has recently returned to active status to support Luukkonen.
Player Updates
In other developments concerning the team, Michael Kesselring’s status is in question for the Nashville game. Kesselring, who was not part of the roster in the recent game, was involved in a trade that sent winger JJ Peterka to the Sabres last June. After starting the season on the injured list, he made a comeback in late October but has since dealt with recurring lower-body injuries.
Positive Recognition
On a more positive note, Sabres center Tage Thompson received recognition as the NHL First Star of the Week on Monday. Thompson excelled with a total of nine points from three goals and six assists across four games, including a standout performance that featured a hat trick against the Montreal Canadiens on January 15th. Currently, he leads the Sabres with 50 points, comprising 25 goals and 25 assists in 48 matches this season.
