The Sabres are coming off an impressive but costly win over Columbus on Tuesday night at KeyBank Center. The team lost two defensemen in Mattias Samuelsson and newcomer Olen Zellweger.
Samuelsson suffered a lower-body injury, likely while blocking a shot, and his prognosis is week-to-week. That’s certainly not what you want to see with the official first puck drop of the season right around the corner. Rasmus Dahlin’s defensive partner will now be out for at least a handful of games, maybe more.
To add insult to yet another injury, Zellweger will miss at least a week, and potentially longer, with a concussion. Olen was having himself a nice preseason game until he was leveled by a “regular-season” type of hit in the second period while setting up a teammate.
Well wishes to both players. Hopefully, Mattias and Olen will be back in the lineup sooner rather than later. Buffalo’s defensive depth looks like it will be tested early to start the season now. Let’s just hope the team can skate away from the final two preseason tilts without any further damage.
The Sabres will ice a much less potent lineup tonight against Detroit, with most of their expected roster players sitting this one out. Konsta Helenius and Noah Ostlund will be in the lineup for Buffalo, though, along with Jiri Kulich again. So at least fans will get to see some of our young guns in action tonight.
How to Watch
Puck Drop: 7:00 pm
Streaming: Broadcast on MSG (Detroit Sportsnet feed), ESPN+
Radio: WGR 550
Tonight’s roster
Forwards: Thomas Bordeleau, Justin Danforth, Tyson Kozak, Jiri Kulich, Trevor Kuntar, Aidan McDonough, Noah Ostlund, Matthew Peca, Jason Polin, Jake Richard, Liam Valente, Konsta Helenius
Defensemen: Dennis Gilbert, Ryan Johnson, Vsevolod Komarov, Gavin McCarthy, Zach Metsa, Radim Mrtka
Goaltenders: Colten Ellis, Alex Lyon