Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - After spending some nice time on home ice over the last month, the Buffalo Sabres head out West for a three-game road trip in California, starting Wednesday when they take on the Los Angeles Kings. Buffalo will then face the Anaheim Ducks on Friday, followed by a matchup with the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.
The Sabres have lost two of their last three games, including an ugly 5-2 loss in their last outing on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center.
Ahead of Buffalo's trip to California, Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff made some adjustments with his goaltending depth, sending goaltender Devon Levi down to the Rochester Americans with starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen healthy and veteran James Reimer back in Buffalo.
Ruff says he wants to see Levi playing more, which is why the 22-year-old was sent back to Rochester.
"I think Devin, for the first time, has dealt with a period of a season where he had a lot of inactivity of one game in a month, and I think that is an adjustment for a young goaltender." Ruff said during his weekly appearance on the "Jeremy and Joe Show" on WGR. "He needs to go play. He needs to get reps in."
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The Sabres are also dealing with not having center Tage Thompson in the lineup, as he deals with a nagging injury. Ruff says he has a good chance to play on Wednesday night, but that is still not 100% set in stone.
Another significant blow to the Buffalo lineup ahead of this week's California road trip is the loss on Jordan Greenway, who is considered week-to-week. Ruff is looking for someone to step up in his spot, especially on the penalty kill.
Meanwhile, with Greenway and Thompson injured, the Sabres have called up forward Isak Rosen from the Amerks. Ruff believes the young forward can play important minutes both offensively and defensively.
"His play away from the puck is strong, so as a guy that if we need to put the lineup, I think he can definitely help us," said Ruff with Jeremy White and Joe DiBiase.
Faceoff for Wednesday night's matchup with the Kings is set for 10:30 p.m. EST from Crypto.com Arena.
