The Buffalo Sabres are set to play Game 3 of their six-game road trip and will be looking for their first win of this trip on Monday night against the Calgary Flames. It has been a lackluster performance so far for the Sabres with a 5-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers followed by a 5-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.
Ahead of the game on Monday, the Sabres made a roster move and seem to indicate who will be the starter which is included in this edition of news and notes.
Buffalo Sabres send Noah Ostlund down to Rochester to create a spot for Zach Metsa
On Sunday, the Buffalo Sabres made a roster move to add some depth to their blueline by adding Zach Metsa but in the process sent down Noah Ostlund. It is a move that fans won't like, but it was really the only move they could make at this point in the season.
Unfortunately with the Sabres still carrying three goalies on their roster, it limits the number of forwards and defensemen. Since Michael Kesselring's injury, the Sabres have only had six defensemen when teams normally have seven.
The reason that Ostlund is the one who was sent down is that he is one of only a few players who wouldn't have to go through waivers. If they were to waive someone else, like Josh Dunne he could be claimed by another team and the Sabres would lose him.
Ostlund has already played in 20 games this season and has been productive with three points and three assists. It was only a little over a week ago that Lindy Ruff was recognizing Ostlund for his shootout goal against the Minnesota Wild.
Hopefully, the move to bring up Metsa means the Sabres are going to make a change to their defensive pairs. Otherwise, it doesn't make sense to have him just as an extra defenseman who isn't in the lineup.
Jason Zucker continues to deliver on the power play
The Buffalo Sabres power play hasn't been anything special this season and ranks 21st in the league in power play percentage at 18.1%. However, one bright spot has been Jason Zucker, who now has a power play in three straight games.
Zucker since returning from injury on November 21st has been one of the best players on the ice for Buffalo. He has five goals and four assists over these eight games and is fifth on the team in points this season with 16 total.
So far on this road trip, the Buffalo Sabres have been unable to score in 5v5 and Zucker's performance in the power play has been really their only offensive production. If the Sabres can get back to winning in those 5v5 situations, along with Zucker's production, they have a chance to string some road wins together to end this trip on a high note.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in line for the start against the Calgary Flames
After getting the start against the Winnipeg Jets and stopping 19 of 22 shots, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen looks to be getting another start on Monday night against the Calgary Flames. According to The Athletic's Matthew Fairburn, Luukkonen had the net to himself during Sunday's practice, which is usually an indication that he will be the starter.
The Sabres are continuing to go with this three-goalie rotation, and due in part to the fact that no goalie has really established himself as the starter. Luukkonen should be that goalie, but has alternated games of giving up three goals followed by one goal over his last five starts.
If Luukonen can string a few strong performances together, it could give the Sabres some clarity on what they need to do at the position.