The Buffalo Sabres are heading into the second leg of a back-to-back in Florida, and they’ll be doing it with a fresh face between the pipes. Rookie Colten Ellis is set to start Tuesday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning after veteran Alex Lyon turned in a 39-save performance in a 5-3 win over the Panthers. It’s a big moment for Ellis, who steps in during a stretch where Buffalo’s goaltending depth is being tested once again.
The team continues to be without Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who remains sidelined with a lower-body injury suffered last Tuesday in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The injury occurred early, after Luukkonen allowed a goal to Auston Matthews and exited in the first period. Since then, he hasn’t returned to the ice, and while head coach Lindy Ruff says the 26-year-old is making progress, the timeline for his return is still murky.
“He’s gonna miss a little bit of time,” Ruff said last week. “We’re looking at a week and then see where he’s at.”
That cautious approach makes sense, especially considering Luukkonen’s injury history-this is the third time he’s gone down since training camp. It’s also why the Sabres’ decision to carry three goaltenders this season is looking smarter by the day.
Unfortunately, the timing of the injury has bigger implications than just Buffalo’s lineup. Luukkonen was slated to represent Finland at the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, which begin next week.
That’s now off the table. Finland has named Boston Bruins backup Joonas Korpisalo as his replacement.
Korpisalo is expected to slot in behind Juuse Saros (Nashville) and Kevin Lankinen (Vancouver) on the Finnish depth chart.
With Luukkonen out, the Sabres’ Olympic representation drops to two: forward Tage Thompson, who will suit up for Team USA, and captain Rasmus Dahlin, who will anchor Sweden’s blue line.
As for Ellis, this is a chance to prove he can handle NHL minutes in a pressure spot. The Lightning are never an easy out, and the Sabres are trying to build momentum as they navigate a stretch of the season that’s been riddled with injuries and lineup shuffles. Buffalo will be leaning on its depth-and hoping the rookie can rise to the moment.