EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Alex Tuch was among the first players on the ice when the Sabres practiced Tuesday at Toyota Sports Performance Center.
Tuch did not skate with the team Monday before its flight to California, where its three-game road trip begins Wednesday with a matchup against the Los Angeles Kings.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff will update the media on Tuch and Tage Thompson following the morning skate Wednesday. Their availability for the game with the Kings (10-6-3) will be determined by how they recover from practice.
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) is congratulated on a 5-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators by ALex Tuch (89) during the third period of an NHL hockey game at the KeyBank Center on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.
Tuch assumed his spot at right wing on the top line with Thompson and JJ Peterka, while Dylan Cozens centered Zach Benson and Jiri Kulich. Jack Quinn moved to Ryan McLeod's line with Jason Zucker because Jordan Greenway is week to week with a middle-body injury. Peyton Krebs was back on the fourth line between Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Beck Malenstyn.
Possible lineup
Here's a glance at how the Sabres lined up during practice:
JJ Peterka - Tage Thompson - Alex Tuch
Zach Benson - Dylan Cozens - Jiri Kulich
Jason Zucker - Ryan McLeod - Jack Quinn
Beck Malenstyn - Peyton Krebs - Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Rasmus Dahlin - Bowen Byram
Owen Power - Jacob Bryson
Dennis Gilbert - Henri Jokiharju
Sam Lafferty, Isak Rosen and Connor Clifton appeared to be the extras. Each of the three rotated in with one of the lines or defense pairs.
Though Thompson practiced, he may not be ready to face the Kings on Wednesday at 10 p.m., Eastern. The Sabres' No. 1 center was not on the team's top power play during practice, a sign that Ruff is preparing to be without Thompson for a third consecutive game.
Tuch, Zucker, Cozens, Peterka and Dahlin were on the first power-play unit while Thompson watched from the bench. Byram, Benson, Quinn, Kulich and Power were on the second unit.
Rosen watch
Ruff kept a close eye on Rosen as the 2021 first-round draft pick went through a battle drill during the latter portion of practice Tuesday.
The Sabres' coach isn't as familiar with Rosen because the winger didn't appear in a preseason game with the NHL group in September and he wasn't on the roster for the team's trip to Europe.
Rosen's performance in Rochester early this season led to the call to the NHL. The 21-year-old has four goals and 13 points in 14 games with the Amerks, but his play away from the puck has also been improved.
"I think my offensive game has been good," Rosen said following practice Tuesday. "I tried to build on last year, my two-way game, and I think it started there. Then, I've produced as well, so it's been a good start."
Opponent outlook
Darcy Kuemper made 32 saves and Anze Kopitar had a natural hat trick in the third period when the Kings defeated the Sabres 3-1 at the home opener in KeyBank Center on Oct. 10.
Kuemper won't be in goal for the Kings this time around. He was placed on injured reserve because of an undisclosed injury. David Rittich is expected to start Wednesday night and his backup will be former Sabres prospect Erik Portillo, who was recalled from the American Hockey League to take Kuemper's spot on the roster.
The Kings are 9-5-1 in their last 15 games. They're tied for fifth in the NHL in 5-on-5 scoring, and they rank ninth in 5-on-5 goals against. This will be their eighth game at their home arena this season, tied for second-fewest in the league. Twelve of their first 19 games were away from Los Angeles.
