Opening night brings the usual rush of last-minute lineup calls, and Buffalo appears set to get its No. 1 goaltender back between the pipes. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start Thursday when the Sabres open against the Columbus Blue Jackets at 7 p.m. ET, after a lower-body issue kept him under watch following a Sept. 26 preseason game.
The Sabres could also have Mattias Samuelsson available on the blue line. The defenseman took part in Wednesday’s practice after being labeled week to week with a lower-body injury suffered while blocking a shot Sept. 22. Coach Lindy Ruff said he is hopeful Samuelsson can be an option against Columbus. Olen Zellweger, however, remains out as he continues through concussion protocol dating to Sept. 22. Ruff left open the possibility of Zellweger returning Saturday, when Buffalo hosts the Chicago Blackhawks.
Chicago loses Mangiapane for road swing
The Blackhawks will be without Andrew Mangiapane for at least their next two games after the forward was hurt in a 5-2 season-opening loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Mangiapane played only one shift in the second period before leaving with a lower-body injury.
Coach Jeff Blashill said Mangiapane will not play on the remainder of the trip, though the longer timetable is still unclear. Chicago visits the Utah Mammoth on Thursday before heading to Buffalo on Saturday. The Blackhawks then return home to face the St. Louis Blues in their home opener Oct. 6.
In Ottawa, Jake Sanderson’s status remains unsettled ahead of Saturday’s season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs at 7 p.m. ET. Sanderson skated by himself before Wednesday’s practice but did not participate with the full group after failing to feel right, coach Travis Green said.
The Senators are also monitoring several other regulars. General manager Steve Staios said Artem Zub, who has been working back from a lingering knee injury, remains on track for an early-season return. Andre Burakovsky has not skated since sustaining an upper-body injury in Saturday’s preseason game against the Montreal Canadiens, and Green does not anticipate having him this weekend. Green is more optimistic about Warren Foegele, who could be ready Saturday despite an undisclosed issue.
Barzal travels, but will miss Toronto opener
Mathew Barzal made the trip to Toronto with the New York Islanders, a positive step after he missed training camp because an earlier injury flared up and caused inflammation. He will not be in the lineup for Wednesday’s opener against the Maple Leafs, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET, but the Islanders believe he could resume skating soon.
General manager Mathieu Darche said Barzal may get back on the ice by the weekend, or early next week at the latest, after what the club viewed as a strong previous week. Darche noted that Barzal’s presence on the trip is encouraging and suggested the center should be ready once he has a few practices. Barzal paced the Islanders last season with 72 points, producing 19 goals and 53 assists across 81 games.
