The Buffalo Sabres visit the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on Thursday night, with both teams releasing projected lineups amid injury challenges. The Sabres hold a 12-14-4 record, while the Canucks are 11-16-3. Key returns and absences will shape the 10 p.m. ET contest.
The Buffalo Sabres face the Vancouver Canucks in a Western Conference matchup at Rogers Arena, broadcast on SNP and MSG-B at 10 p.m. ET. Both teams are dealing with injuries but look to field competitive lineups based on recent reports.
Sabres Projected Lineup
Forwards:
- Peyton Krebs — Tage Thompson — Alex Tuch
- Zach Benson — Tyson Kozak — Josh Doan
- Isak Rosen — Ryan McLeod — Jack Quinn
- Beck Malenstyn — Josh Dunne — Jordan Greenway
Defense:
- Mattias Samuelsson — Rasmus Dahlin
- Bowen Byram — Conor Timmins
- Owen Power — Jacob Bryson
Goalies: Alex Lyon, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Scratches: Zach Metsa, Trevor Kuntar
Injured players include Josh Norris (illness), who misses a second straight game after a late scratch in their 4-3 overtime win at Edmonton on Thursday; he could return Sunday against Seattle. Colten Ellis (concussion) was placed on injured reserve Thursday. Jason Zucker (upper and lower body) is on injured reserve and week-to-week. Others out: Justin Danforth (lower body), Jiri Kulich (ear), Michael Kesselring (lower body).
Canucks Projected Lineup
Forwards:
- Jake DeBrusk — Max Sasson — Linus Karlsson
- Brock Boeser — David Kampf — Conor Garland
- Evander Kane — Drew O’Connor — Kiefer Sherwood
- Nils Hoglander — Aatu Raty — Arshdeep Bains
Defense:
- Quinn Hughes — Filip Hronek
- Elias Pettersson — Tyler Myers
- Marcus Pettersson — Tom Willander
Goalies: Thatcher Demko, Kevin Lankinen
Scratches: Lukas Reichel, P.O Joseph
Injured: Elias Pettersson (upper body, missing third game but resuming skating and expected on road trip starting Sunday), Filip Chytil (concussion protocol), Teddy Blueger (lower body), Derek Forbort (undisclosed). Brock Boeser is a game-time decision after morning discomfort; coach Adam Foote noted checks to rule out appendix issues, with Reichel filling in during drills. Demko returns to start after missing 12 games with a lower-body injury. Goalie Nikita Tolopilo was assigned to AHL's Abbotsford Thursday.
This preview highlights lineup adjustments as both teams aim to build momentum in a tight schedule.
