Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - During Monday's practice for the Buffalo Sabres, defenseman Michael Kesselring and winger Jordan Greenway moved into the lineup ahead of Conor Timmins and Tyson Kozak, respectively.
In addition, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen had a net by himself, which may indicate the goaltending rotation with Alex Lyon may be over.
Lyon has had two subpar starts, while Luukkonen has continued his stellar play in net for Buffalo. If Luukkonen does, indeed, get the start Tuesday against the New York Islanders, it would be the first time he's gotten back-to-back starts since Jan. 17 and 19 against the Minnesota Wild and Carolina Hurricanes.
In his last 11 games, Luukkonen is 8-1-1 with a 2.34 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage. Only Joel Hofer (St. Louis Blues) has been better with a .928 save percentage.
Since the team started winning on Dec. 9, Luukkonen leads the NHL with a .922 save percentage. In that time, he's 14-3-2 with a 2.39 goals-against average.
"I'm excited every time I get a chance to play,” said Luukkonen following Monday’s practice. “In the end, it's a coach's decision. But I'm just looking forward to playing again tomorrow."
Kesselring has been a healthy scratch for nine-straight games. He was paired with Logan Stanley for Monday’s skate.
"We've got eight [defensemen] right now that we all feel can all play,” said Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff on Monday after practice. “I think part of [Kesselring’s] struggles were trying to find his game coming off two different injuries. In practice and all the extra work he's been doing, he's really started to look like he's skating well. Definitely an option for tomorrow.
As far as Greenway goes, he’s been out of the lineup since Jan. 22 with his nagging injury. Greenway was skating on a line with Sam Carrick and Beck Malenstyn.
Ruff is encouraged by what Greenway could offer his team in the final stretch of games.
"We've put him on a regular line to take a good look. He's a lot better, he's been involved in non-practice physicality drills that he's looked really good, he's skated really well,” said Ruff. “Feedback I'm getting is he's feeling really great, and he would be an option for tomorrow."
Noah Ostlund, once again, skated on his own on Monday and is listed as day-to-day.
The goalie rotation appears to be over with Luukkonen taking over
The goalie rotation appears to be over with Luukkonen taking over
