Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - It looks like defenseman Zach Metsa will be back in the Buffalo Sabres’ lineup on Tuesday after playing three weekend games with the Rochester Americans.
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff says he’s definitely a possibility to play against the New York Islanders, as Michael Kesselring, Conor Timmins and Luke Schenn were all skating as the extra defensemen after the morning skate. Metsa didn’t take part in the optional skate after being called back up on Monday.
There’s also a pretty good chance Jordan Greenway will make his return for the injured Noah Ostlund on Tuesday. He was on the left wing with Sam Carrick and Beck Malenstyn during Monday’s practice.
Greenway has been out of the Buffalo lineup since Jan. 22 after having two surgeries that pretty much didn’t work.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will get back-to-back starts for the Sabres for the first time since January. His .922 save percentage leads the NHL since Dec. 8.
Alex Lyon has had two-straight subpar starts, but Ruff is not calling Luukkonen his No. 1 goalie. He is also not counting out Lyon.
“Both our goaltenders have played incredibly well for us, and I’m not putting a No. 1 label on anybody,” Ruff said following the morning skate Tuesday. “But I know to get to this point and the amount we’ve used both guys, they’re both No. 1s right now.”
Josh Norris has struggled quite a bit offensively lately, scoring just one goal and one assist in his last 11 games. The goal he scored was an empty-netter two weeks ago in Vegas to seal a 2-0 win over the Golden Knights.
With that being said, I think his defensive game has been good during this time. There have been times just the hustle he’s shown by getting back has helped break up plays.
While going cold is frustrating, Norris has had to look for other ways to contribute.
“I’d love to help out more offensively and get on the scoresheet more, but I think that’s the strength of our team,” said Norris recently. “When certain guys aren’t as hot offensively, I think other guys step up and different guys are scoring.
“I’ve tried to be really good defensively, because if you don’t have your A-game, you’ve got to have something to fall back on. I think I’ve done a good job on the other side of the puck.”
Norris has been in this league long enough to know that slumps happen, but they can’t consume you.
“Early on in my career, you go through stretches where you feel like you’re never going to score a goal again. But as you get older, you learn how to deal with those thoughts and laugh at them, and stick to your game and try not to be outcome-oriented. Just take it game-by-game and just try to be better.”
Back in December, the Sabres knocked off the Islanders in Buffalo in a shootout. Then on Long Island, Lyon posted a 26-save shutout in a 5-0 win.
The Sabres are in third place in the Eastern Conference with a points percentage of .662. Both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes lead the conference at .671.
All three teams have 98 points in the standings.
The Montreal Canadiens are currently riding a five-game winning streak, and are four points back of Buffalo.
Tampa Bay hosts Montreal on Tuesday, while Carolina hits the road to play the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Islanders got waxed at home on Monday by the Pittsburgh Penguins, 8-3. Ilya Sorokin got pulled in that game after giving up seven goals on 28 shots in 47:54 of work.
It’s the second time in five starts he’s been pulled. Back on March 21 in Montreal, he left after giving up six goals on 32 shots in 50:47 of action.
Overall this season, Sorokin is 28-19-2 with a 2.58 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage.
Mat Barzal leads the way in scoring for the Islanders with 19 goals and 48 assists for 67 points in 74 games.
The first overall pick in this past June’s NHL Draft, defenseman Matthew Schaefer, is next with 22 goals and 34 assists for 56 points in 75 games.
Tune in during “Schopp and the Bulldog” for pregame coverage on WGR, starting at 6 p.m. when you’ll hear from Ruff, Luukkonen and Alex Tuch.
Josh Norris has been contributing for the Sabres, but not in the way many think he should
Josh Norris has been contributing for the Sabres, but not in the way many think he should
