Buffalo Sabres vs. Columbus Blue Jackets - News - October 17, 2024 | FOX Sports

Justin Danforth - Making season debut ThursdayDanforth (wrist) will be in the lineup against the Sabres on Thursday, Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch reports.

ImpactDanforth has missed the first three games of the season due to his wrist injury but looks set to make his 2024-25 debut. With Danforth cleared to play, preseason addition Kevin Labanc will be dropped from the lineup versus Buffalo with Danforth likely moving up to a second-line role.

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Daniil Tarasov - Slated to start ThursdayTarasov is in the starter's crease at morning skate, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports, and is expected to patrol the home crease versus Buffalo on Thursday.

ImpactTarasov gave up four goals on 30 shots in a victory over Colorado on Saturday, his first appearance of the season. The 25-year-old will take on the Sabres, who have averaged 2.60 goals-per-game over five contests. Tarasov will be backed up by Jet Greaves as Elvis Merzlikins is out of action with physical fatigue.

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Bowen Byram - Picks up two assists against PensByram collected two assists in Wednesday's 6-5 overtime loss to the Penguins.

ImpactIt's the first multi-point performance of the season for Byram, who came into the game with just one assist in four contests. The 23-year-old blueliner has the talent befitting the fourth overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, but Byram is behind Rasmus Dahlin (first overall in 2018) and Owen Power (first overall in 2021) in the pecking order for power-play time, limiting his fantasy upside.

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Alex Tuch - Busy in Wednesday's OT lossTuch recorded two assists and added five shots, three blocked shots, two PIM, one hit and a plus-2 rating in Wednesday's 6-5 overtime loss to the Penguins.

ImpactThe 28-year-old winger was all over the scoresheet, and both of Tuch's helpers came in the first period as the Sabres surged out to a 3-1 lead. He curiously didn't see a power-play shift for the first time this season, but he hasn't needed it so far, racking up two goals and six points in the last four contests.

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Jason Zucker - Two helpers in OT lossZucker picked up two assists in Wednesday's 6-5 overtime loss to the Penguins.

ImpactThe veteran winger had a hand in a Jordan Greenway tally in the first period and a Ryan McLeod goal in the third that gave Buffalo its last lead of the night. After being held off the scoresheet in the first three games of the season, Zucker has notched three helpers in the last two.

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JJ Peterka - Lights lamp twice in returnPeterka scored two goals on four shots with a plus-3 rating in Wednesday's 6-5 overtime loss to the Penguins.

ImpactAfter missing the prior two games due to a concussion, Peterka roared back onto the ice with his first two tallies of the season. The 22-year-old led all Buffalo forwards in even-strength ice time as he reclaimed his spot on the top line with Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch, and if he stays healthy, Peterka could build on last season's breakout 28 goals and 50 points.

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Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen - Can't hold lead in OT lossLuukkonen made 37 saves in Wednesday's 6-5 overtime loss to the Penguins.

ImpactThe Sabres held a 3-1 lead after the first period, but Luukkonen couldn't make it hold up on a night when both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin turned back the clock en route to some big personal milestones. After a breakout 2023-24 campaign, Luukkonen has stumbled out of the gate this season, going 0-2-1 with a 3.69 GAA and .874 save percentage in three starts.

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