Buffalo, NY (WGR 550) – The Buffalo Sabres are losing a key part of their lineup, but they’re also getting back another key piece on Tuesday when they face the Detroit Red Wings.
Tage Thompson declared himself ready to play after the morning skate, and will play on the right wing with Casey Mittelstadt and Jeff Skinner.
Meanwhile, Alex Tuch is out 7-to-10 days after grabbing his hamstring on a backcheck against the Nashville Predators on Sunday.
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Thompson missed nine games with a hand injury suffered back on Nov. 14 against the Boston Bruins, but says shooting has been no issue at all.
In the 16 games he’s played this season, Thompson has six goals and six assists for 12 points. That equals 31 goals and 62 points over 82 games.
The Sabres can sure use Thompson, as the team has lost 8-of-11 games and are 26th in the NHL with a .440 points percentage. Thompson is a huge competitor, and it’s been torture for him to be out of the lineup.
"Anytime you’re up top watching, it sucks. You always want to be on the ice helping the team, but fortunately, it healed pretty quick, and I get to be on the ice tonight," said Thompson on Tuesday.
It’s rare the Sabres get a complete 60-minute effort these days, but when they do, they usually win.
"I just think it comes down to compete and will, just lining up from the guy across from you and forcing your will on them," Thompson said.
"Are you going to let them win the battle? And watching the consistency of winning and losing battles is too big right now, and I think that just has to be a mindset when you hop over the boards. You’re not letting that guy across from you take the puck from you or beat you in a battle, or beat you to the front of the net.
"It’s the little things that add up through the course of a game, and it’s something we lost sight of. We just think things should be handed to us the way we finished last season, but at the same time, there’s no need to panic. I don’t think there is panic in our room. Obviously, there feels like there is on the outside, but it’s a long season. We have over 60 games left (57), and a lot can happen."
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is not available for Tuesday’s game because he’s sick. That means Devon Levi has been called up from the Rochester Americans.
In two games with the Amerks, Levi is 1-1-0 with a 2.94 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage.
It will be Eric Comrie getting the start in goal for Buffalo on Tuesday. He’s 1-4-0 this season with a 3.99 goals-against average and an .866 save percentage.
Rasmus Dahlin took a heavy fall and left the morning skate on Tuesday, but Sabres head coach Don Granato says he’s OK and will play. Granato added that Dahlin has been dealing with nagging injuries.
Buffalo is now five points back of the Tampa Bay Lightning for the Eastern Conference’s eighth and final playoff spot.
The Sabres are 5-1-4 in their last 10 games against the Red Wings, where they have beaten them in four-straight games.
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The Red Wings now have Pat Kane, but he isn’t likely to play with them until, at least, Thursday.
Detroit is red-hot, winning 5-of-6 games, which has vaulted them to third in the Atlantic Division, seven points ahead of the Sabres.
The Red Wings' power play has scored in six-straight games, and is eighth in the league at 23.5%.
Part of Detroit’s success is they’re averaging 3.74 goals per-game, which is third in the league.
Alex DeBrincat leads the team in scoring with 13 goals and 10 assists for 23 points in 23 games.
In goal, Alex Lyon has played five of the last eight games. He’s 3-1-0 with a 1.26 goals-against average and a .958 save percentage.
Ville Husso is 8-4-1 in goal this season with a 3.48 goals-against average and an .891 save percentage.
TUESDAY’S LINES:
Forwards:
Skinner – Mittelstadt – Thompson
Benson – Cozens – Peterka
Jost – Krebs – Okposo
Rosen – Biro - Olofsson
Defense:
Dahlin – Samuelsson
Power – Jokiharju
Clifton – E. Johnson
Bryson – R. Johnson
Join Mike Schopp and the Bulldog for pregame coverage on WGR starting at 6:30 p.m. EST when you’ll hear from Granato, Thompson and Casey Mittelstadt.
