Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Buffalo Sabres fans are getting their first dose of the Toronto Maple Leafs rivalry early this season, as their home-and-home series begins Friday in Buffalo.
This is only a rivalry for Sabres fans, though, as Leafs fans couldn’t care less about it.
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff has played and coached in this rivalry, and he loves it.
"I think it gets the juices flowing," said Ruff following Friday's morning skate. "You've got a team right next door to you that you get to go head-to-head with. If one team gets a little edge in one area, then it’s what can you do to be a little bit better, or what can you take advantage of? You get to do it in back-to-back nights, which you don’t get to do very often anymore."
After one rehab start in Rochester, in which Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen won 4-2, the goalie is back with the Sabres, now giving them three goaltenders on the roster.
However, it will be Alex Lyon getting the start Friday. Ruff says, though, this is a good problem to have.
"We’ve got a young guy [Colten Ellis] that’s stepped in and played a good game. Lyon has played well, and I think the question is will 'UPL' stay healthy? We’ve got to stay in a place where we’re protecting ourselves," Ruff acknowledged.
"We’re going to lay out a plan for the next three games, and follow through with that."
Ruff doesn’t want to have three goalies in Buffalo, but that’s where they’re at.
"It’s probably not a comfortable process. It’s not comfortable for us, I don’t think it’s comfortable for them," Ruff said. "I think we’ve got three guys that like being around each other, but every goalie wants to play. So you’ve got to run out every scenario, and make sure that we back ourselves."
Lyon is 2-4-0 this season with a 2.55 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage.
Michael Kesselring skated with the team for the first time on Friday. While Ruff says he won’t play against the Leafs, they are shooting for a return to the lineup sometime next week.
Also, there's still no timetable on a return for Jordan Greenway, who continues to practice in a non-contact jersey.
As for winger Jason Zucker, he left Wednesday’s game after being checked into the glass. He took line rushes Friday and after kidding that he was faking, he said he’s fine. The veteran didn’t want to get any further into it.
Josh Doan no longer has his goal from Wednesday, as it has now been awarded to winger Alex Tuch, who tipped the puck in front.
Tuch now has two goals and three assists for five points in seven games. Doan has two goals and four assists for six points, which is tied for the team lead.
Toronto comes in 3-3-1, and has lost two-straight games.
Leafs defenseman Morgan Reilly won’t play due to injury.
Anthony Stolarz has played all but one game this season in goal, going 2-3-1 with a 3.01 goals-against average and an .894 save percentage.
Will Nylander leads the Leafs in scoring, and leads the league in assists. The winger has two goals and 11 assists for 13 points in seven games.
Meanwhile, Auston Matthews only has six points in seven games.
Friday night's game is a radio only broadcast for Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray.
Tune in during "Schopp and the Bulldog" for pregame coverage on WGR starting at 6 p.m., where you’ll hear from Ruff, Zucker and Zach Benson.
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