Reimer returns and will backup Devon Levi against the Blues
The Buffalo Sabres will finish out their three-game homestand against the St. Louis Blues on Thursday without two of their most valuable players available to them. Head coach Lindy Ruff indicated on Wednesday that center Tage Thompson and goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen could be available against St. Louis after their lower-body injuries were considered day-to-day.
At Thursday’s optional morning skate, Thompson did not take to the ice, and Luukkonen, who took shots prior to his teammates taking to the ice, did not participate in club drills. Ruff confirmed to the media that both would be unavailable.
“Both guys are doing good, but will not play,” Ruff said.
The Sabres may be wisely playing it carefully with Thompson -- who leads the club with 11 goals, and Luukkonen – who has six of Buffalo’s seven victories, based on their schedule. After Thursday’s game, they start a four-game road trip in Philadelphia on Saturday and then do not play again until next Wednesday in Los Angeles. If both sit out on Saturday, that gives them nearly another week to heal up before playing three games in four nights against the Kings, Anaheim Ducks, and San Jose Sharks.
It is unknown how Ruff will adjust his line combinations against the Blues without Thompson. In the third period of the 7-5 loss to Montreal on Monday, Dylan Cozens moved up between Alex Tuch and JJ Peterka, but keeping that trio together might make it easier for St. Louis to limit the Sabres offense.
Defensively, the injury to Mattias Samuelsson will bring Dennis Gilbert back into the lineup on the bottom pairing with Connor Clifton. With Luukkonen unavailable, Devon Levi will make only his fifth start of the season. Levi took the loss against the Canadiens on Monday after allowing two goals on four shots.
James Reimer, who was reacquired off of waivers from Anaheim on Wednesday, will back up Levi after flying cross-country and skating with the club on Thursday.
