Devon Levi is making the kind of early-season push that can change a goaltending picture fast.
The former Sabres netminder, now with the Edmonton Oilers, followed up a rough outing against Vancouver with a much sharper performance Thursday night, stopping 19 shots in a 3-1 win over the Seattle Kraken. That came after Levi was pressed into action in the rematch after Edmonton’s surprising season-opening loss to the Canucks.
Levi, 24, entered the year as the backup behind starter Tristan Jarry after being dealt to Edmonton in the offseason for a draft pick. His first start was a grind: he allowed seven goals on 22 shots in a 9-7 win. But the second straight start told a different story, and it may have put him in line for a bigger role for now.
For the moment, Levi could have the inside track on the Oilers’ starting job until veteran Frederik Andersen is healthy enough to join the mix in Edmonton.
Elsewhere, the week continued to produce former Sabres headlines. Alex Tuch scored twice in his first game with the Washington Capitals, and JJ Peterka has already scored two goals for the Boston Bruins. On Saturday, though, neither Tuch nor Peterka found the scoreboard.
At KeyBank Center, Bowen Byram’s anticipated return to Buffalo with the Chicago Blackhawks never happened because he had to attend to a family matter. Jordan Greenway, another former Sabre, still got a warm reception from the sold-out crowd.
And former Buffalo defenseman Connor Clifton picked up an assist in Minnesota’s 4-1 win over Boston.
In Other News...
Sabres Got The Win But Two Early Concerns Arent Going Away
The Sabres opened their home schedule with a 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, but the night still left a few familiar questions hanging around. It was a notable first look for Olen Zellweger in a Buffalo sweater and a welcome return for Jordan Greenway, while Jiri Kulich supplied the finishing touch in a game that gave the building something to feel good about.
Even with the two points banked, the performance in net was hard to ignore, as Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen had a rough outing and Buffalos power play never really found a rhythm. Those are the kinds of issues that can get pushed aside after a win in October, but they tend to resurface quickly if they keep showing up. [Read more 🡒]
Jiri Kulich Just Delivered The Sabres Moment Fans Were Waiting For
Jiri Kulichs return to the Sabres has already carried more weight than a simple roster move, but Friday night gave it a moment fans could feel. In Buffalos 4-3 comeback win over the Blackhawks, Kulich found the net for his first NHL goal in 343 days, a milestone that capped a long climb back into the lineup after a difficult absence and gave the Sabres another jolt in a game they needed to rally to win.
The finish also brought out the kind of praise that usually follows hard-earned progress, with coach Lindy Ruff and captain Rasmus Dahlin speaking to Kulichs mental strength and perseverance. Kulich credited teammates Tage Thompson and Owen Power for the assist on the play, a small reminder of how much this goal meant inside the room as much as it did on the scoreboard. [Read more 🡒]
Sabres Got The Spark They Needed From Two Intriguing Performances
The Sabres needed a lift early against Chicago, and they got one in the form of a comeback win that felt like more than just two points. Buffalo dug out of an early two-goal hole and found enough offense to beat the Blackhawks 4-3, with Jack Quinn driving the attack by leading the team in individual scoring chances and giving the club a more dangerous look as the game wore on.
Jiri Kulich provided the finish Buffalo had been waiting to see, while Olen Zellweger also added a new wrinkle in his first appearance for the club. For a team still sorting out its early-season rhythm, those are the kinds of developments that can matter beyond one night, especially when a comeback win starts to hint at a little momentum building. [Read more 🡒]