(WGR 550) – The Buffalo Sabres will try to build on the last six minutes of Tuesday’s 4-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, as they head to Los Angeles to play the Kings on Wednesday night.
After a miserable effort against Anaheim, the Sabres went to work to score two goals in the final six minutes, only to lose in the end.
With Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen playing Tuesday in his sixth-straight game against Anaheim, expect Devon Lei to get the call against the Kings.
Levi’s last NHL game was Jan. 9 against the Seattle Kraken, where he gave up five goals on 26 shots. He has allowed 21 goals in his last six appearances.
On Jan. 20, Levi played a game in Rochester, helping the Americans to a 7-3 victory over the Springfield Thunderbirds. Levi said it wasn’t essential he got a game, but it was good.
"I’ll take any opportunity I get to play," said Levi following Monday's practice. "Guys in Rochester are great. I had a great time with them, and it was a great game."
Levi didn’t want to make too much of it in the end.
"It felt just like a hockey game. Going there just to play hockey and get some time on the ice," he said. "It was easy to enjoy myself, and have fun with it."
The 22-year-old was fine with going down to Rochester for one game, but he was also fine if he didn’t.
"I don’t think it was something that if I didn’t have it, I’d be panicking. But it definitely doesn’t hurt," Levi admitted.
Levi didn’t do anything special during the time where he wasn’t playing many games in Buffalo.
"I did what I always do, just practice with good intention and try to push the boys to try to score on me and compete," Levi said. "I come to [work] every day with a good attitude, and good work ethic and compete. Whether it’s in a practice or a game, every puck is equal value, and I try to stop every puck."
Levi claims he doesn’t obsess with where he is. He says as long as he’s on the ice, he can get better.
"It’s just riding the wave. Playing hockey wherever I am, stopping pucks in whatever crease I’m in, and just focusing where my feet are," Levi said. "If it’s in Rochester, then its in Rochester. If it's here, it's here. If it's in practice or in games, I just stop the puck that’s in front of me."
Overall, Levi is 8-7-2 this season with a 3.32 goals-against average and an .889 save percentage.
The Sabres have lost 3-of-5 games, and have only scored nine goals in their last five contests.
Los Angeles is coming off a 4-3 shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks on Monday night.
Cam Talbot didn’t play in that game, or the last three, but he has played in most of the Kings' games this season. The All-Star goalie is 14-11-5 with a 2.43 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage.
Talbot has given up 20 goals in his last five games, which is why David Rittich has been playing recently.
The Kings have only won 2-of-12 games, but are still in a playoff spot, holding down the Western Conference's first Wild Card position.
Despite the recent problems, Los Angeles is third in the NHL with a goals-against average of 2.52. The Kings' penalty kill leads the league at 87.1%.
Join myself and Brian Koziol for pregame coverage on WGR starting at 9:30 p.m. EST when you’ll hear from Levi.
Losi & Gangi
