The Buffalo Sabres are set to face the Detroit Red Wings in a preseason matchup on Thursday at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. The Sabres are entering the game with an impressive 2-0-0 record in the preseason, while the Red Wings have a 1-0-0 record.
Buffalo will start Alexandar Georgiev in goal, while Detroit will have John Gibson at the net. Georgiev is expected to play the entire game, showcasing his capabilities before the regular season commences. The Sabres demonstrated solid defensive performance in their recent 2-1 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets, with goals from Tage Thompson and Jason Zucker propelling them to victory. Goaltenders Alex Lyon and Devon Levi faced minimal pressure due to strong defensive play, facing only 19 shots from the Blue Jackets.
Injuries have slightly impacted the Sabres’ lineup. Forward Jiri Kulich is sidelined as a precaution due to a pulled muscle, though it is not considered serious, and he is not expected to miss significant time. Tyson Kozak will fill in for Kulich, skating alongside Josh Doan and Jack Quinn.
This game provides another opportunity for the Sabres to refine their line combinations and defensive pairings, which include players like Owen Power, Michael Kesselring, and Zac Jones. Buffalo’s lineup will be looking to maintain their unbeaten streak in the preseason as they enhance team chemistry and assess player performances.
The matchup against the Red Wings will be an important test for the Sabres as they continue their preparations for the upcoming NHL season.