(WGR 550), Buffalo N.Y. - In Monday's practice Michael Kesselring and Jordan Greenway moved into the lineup ahead of Conor Timmins and Tyson Kozak. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen also had a net by himself which indicated that the goaltending rotation along with Alex Lyon may be over.
Lyon has had two subpar starts while Luukkonen has continued his stellar play. If Luukkonen does indeed get the start Tuesday vs 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 and .924 save percentage. Only Joel Hofer of the 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. Luukkonen said,
"I'm excited every time I get a chance to play and in the end it's a coach's decision, but I'm just looking forward to playing again tomorrow."
Kesselring has been scratched for nine straight games while Greenway has been out since Jan. 22 with his injury. Kesselring was paired with Logan Stanley while Greenway was on a line with Sam Carrick and Beck Malenstyn. Lindy Ruff said,
"We've got eight here right now (defensemen) that we all feel can all play. I think part of his struggles were trying to find his game coming off two different injuries. In practice and all the extra work he's bene doing he's really started to look like he's skating well, definitely an option for tomorrow.
As far as Greenway goes, Ruff is encouraged,
"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, feedback I'm getting is he's feeling really great and he would be an option for tomorrow."
Noah Ostlund again skated on his own and is listed as day-to-day.
Goalie rotation appears to be over with Luukkonen taking over
