Following a stretch in early November which saw the Buffalo Sabres drop five games in a row, the team has rebounded with two consecutive victories over Detroit and Edmonton. Despite a rash of injuries which has plagued the team from the beginning of the season, the team is beginning to show progress in working its way through the adversity.
The Sabres are trying to put a string of points together in an effort to claw their way out of the Eastern Conference basement. Young players have stepped up to make a difference as a critical stretch of home games is underway.
Between the pipes, 25-year-old netminder Colten Ellis has delivered strong performances. He has made saves at crucial junctures in games which have led to desperately needed victories. Ellis has shown poise since being acquired by Buffalo in a waiver claim from the St. Louis Blues last month.
In addition to the challenges associated with seeing his first NHL action, Ellis has successfully navigated a very crowded crease. He is putting pressure on veteran goaltenders Ukko-Pekka-Luukonen and Alex Lyon, earning starts and responding to the trust placed in him by head coach Lindy Ruff. Ellis has started three of the last four games and has a 3-1 record thus far this season.
“I think it’s just kind of sticking to my routine and my process, the keys that give me success, ” said Ellis. “I put a lot of work into creating my game and what it is. I think no matter who you’re facing you can’t stray away from what makes you, you as a goalie, every night I just try to do that.”
As the Sabres injured players begin to return to the lineup in the games ahead, it will become much more challenging for Buffalo to retain three goaltenders on the NHL roster. Free agent addition Alex Lyon has also performed well, particularly at the outset of the schedule.
Given the games delivered by Ellis and Lyon, the Sabres could be looking for a trade destination for Luukkonen, who has been unable to regain the form he showed in the second half of the 23-24 campaign, far and away the best stretch of his NHL career to date. Completing a trade involving Luukkonen would likely be challenging, given his $4.75 million annual salary. As for Ellis, he is simply focused on helping the Sabres win hockey games.
“I just want to play games and give the team a chance to win,” said Ellis. Whatever I can do to earn my ice, that’s what I’m going to do.”
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