Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Sabres were off on Saturday, but they did do some business off the ice.
Goalie Devon Levi was called up from the Rochester Americans on Saturday, ahead of Buffalo's four-game road trip this upcoming week out West. To make room for Levi, Ryan McLeod was put on Injured Reserve, meaning he will not play at all in the upcoming four games.
McLeod finished Friday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, playing 16:56 of ice-time.
I can tell you he had a hard collision in practice on Thursday, where he had trouble getting to his feet and stood by the boards trying to collect himself. I did an interview with him afterwards, and he had a small cut on his nose, but seemed fine speaking to me.
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff and forward Jiri Kulich are both optimistic that he’ll be able to return to the lineup, starting Monday in Seattle against the Kraken. Kulich has missed the last four games with a lower-body injury.
It’s possible Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is feeling the effects of a hard collision with Evgeni Malkin on Friday. Malkin came full speed through the crease and his back end made contact with Luukkonen’s head. The goaltender stayed down for a few minutes, but finished the game.
Malkin was penalized for goaltender interference.
Buffalo has back-to-back games in Seattle and Vancouver, so Ruff will likely use two goalies. It’s possible the red-hot Levi was just called up to play in one of those games.
In 17 games with the Amerks this season, Levi is 12-3-1 with a 2.33 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage. Levi has also been selected to play in the AHL All-Star Game.
In eight games this season with Buffalo, Levi didn’t play as well, going 2-6-0 with a 3.97 goals-against average and an .876 save percentage.