Ellis likely to get the call in net Tuesday

Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR) - Colten Ellis celebrated his 26th birthday on Monday knowing that he'll get his first start of the season Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. It was Oct. 6 of last season when the Buffalo Sabres claimed Ellis off waivers from the St. Louis Blues.

Ellis had just been put on waivers by the Blues to send him to the Springfield Thunderbirds. He had already gotten himself to Springfield and said he was actually on the stairs carrying things up to his apartment,

"It was pretty crazy, I was just moving into my apartment, I made a couple of trips up to my apartment and got the call, so it's pretty crazy to think about what's happened in the last year."

Ellis had never played in the NHL when the Sabres claimed him and he said he thought that maybe being claimed by a team could happen,

"Looking back it's pretty crazy with all that's happened in the past year. I'm super grateful for the opportunity and I think, not that I was expecting it, but to be able to get picked up here and play the whole season here was a dream come true and you're just kind of living the dream and doing it day in and day out, so it's super rewarding just to play in the NHL and I just try to take it all in stride."

One thing I've noticed with Ellis is he's always the same. Whether he wins, looses, plays, doesn't play, he never changes. He said it's something he learned early in life,

"Obviously my family played a big role in that. It's a long season, we're playing 84 games this year, so just being able to be even keel day in and day out and control what I can control and show up every day and try to work hard and be a good teammate.

"There's no point to getting too high or too low, there's going to be really great times and some adversity throughout the season, so it's good to just take it all in stride."

In his second last start last season, Ellis got a 37 saves shutout of the Columbus Blue Jackets. He said he's trying to build on the end of last season as he gets his first start of this year,

"Looking back on last season I learned a lot about myself and my game, so going into summer, into camp and into the season you're just continually trying to build on that and grow your game and grow as a person and improve in all parts of my game.

"It was a big adjustment, but learning I have a little more time than I think and slowing down the play a little bit because that's when I'm at my best and you've really got to hit your spots instead of being too erratic."

Ellis got into 16 games with the Sabres going 8-4-2 with a 2.90 goals against and .903 save percentage. In November he got the start in Minnesota against the Wild and made 22 saves in a 3-2 shootout win.

After Monday's practice Lindy Ruff said Jason Zucker and Conor Timmins may join the team on the ice on Tuesday, but he said they may not be out there on a daily basis yet.

He also changed the power play units putting Noah Ostlund on the first unit and Josh Doan on the second.

MONDAY'S LINES:

Norris - Thompson - Doan

Benson - Ostlund - Quinn

Krebs - Kulich - Helenius

Malenstyn - McLeod - Carrick