(WGR 550) – With the Buffalo Sabres' playoff hopes hanging by a thread, Tage Thompson may not play Thursday in Detroit against the Red Wings due to an upper-body injury.
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Buffalo has beaten Detroit all three times they’ve played this year, and Thompson has been a big reason why, scoring three goals and four assists for seven points.
Thompson didn’t take part in the morning skate, and the Sabres say he’s a game-time decision. Honestly, I didn’t think Thompson looked even close to 100% on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers.
If he can’t go, I would expect Casey Mittelstadt to slide back in-between Alex Tuch and Jeff Skinner. He played the last six minutes there on Tuesday.
In addition, either Victor Olofsson or Vinnie Hinostroza would draw into the lineup for Thompson. Olofsson has only scored in two of his last 25 games.
There’s no word on who will be in goal for the Sabres with all three goalies - Craig Anderson, Eric Comrie and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen - having played the first three games.
I don’t think it would be a stretch to see Devon Levi in goal on Thursday. In his two career NHL games, he’s 1-1-0 with a 1.98 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage.
Buffalo is 4-1-1 in its last six games, but is still six points out of a playoff spot with six games to play.
The penalty kill has been a problem this year, but it’s been quite a bit better lately. In their last seven games, the Sabres have killed 16-of-18 penalties.
They did give up a power play goal to Florida, but it wasn’t because of any breakdowns. A shot hit the post and then Levi’s back before going in. Buffalo was terrific in their four penalty kills, and even produced two or three chances of their own on their final kill.
The Red Wings have won four out of five games. In their last two games, both on the road, they outscored the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens, 10-2.
Captain Dylan Larkin leads the way with 31 goals and 45 assists for 76 points in 76 games.
Ville Husso was a key acquisition for Detroit in goal, but it hasn’t gone as planned. He’s 26-19-6 overall this season with a 2.96 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage.
Husso just came back from missing seven games due to injury and shutout the Canadiens on 24 shots. Before the injury, he gave up 10 goals in two games.
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