BUFFALO – With goalie Michal Neuvirth sidelined by a lower-body injury, the Sabres recalled Nathan Lieuwen from Rochester this afternoon.
Lieuwen has struggled badly with the AHL Americans this season, going 3-4 with a 3.53 goals against average and .876 save percentage.
The 23-year-old has performed terribly – 0-3, 4.91 and .838 – in his last six games. He has been yanked from three of his last five starts.
Lieuwen developed into a strong NHL prospect last season – 17-11-2, 2.34 and .922 – with the Amerks. He earned a seven-game recall to the Sabres before a concussion ended his year.
The Sabres had today off, so there was no update on Neuvirth, who was injured in the first period of Tuesday’s 4-1 win against San Jose. Sabres coach Ted Nolan only said the Czech was “more than day-to-day.”
Rochester’s other goalie, Andrey Makarov, has also slumped this season. The Russian still has better numbers – 4-4-1, 2.92 and .908 – than Lieuwen.
To make room for Lieuwen, the Sabres placed defenseman Josh Gorges on injured reserve.
