BUFFALO – In the opening month of the season, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff utilized the hot hand in net. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen started five straight games. Colten Ellis twice earned two consecutive nods.
But with tonight’s contest against the Ottawa Senators kicking off a stretch of six games in 11 days, Ruff said he plans to start rotating his goalies.
Ellis, who earned two road wins last week, is expected to play tonight.
On Oct. 27, Ellis dazzled in his first action in 15 days, stopping 23 shots in a 2-0 win against the San Jose Sharks. Fresh off his second NHL shutout, he made 29 stops in Thursday’s wild 7-6 win over the Anaheim Ducks.
“He works really hard at his game,” Ruff said. “He’s prepared. The time off doesn’t seem to affect him. Maybe (it affects) other goaltenders a little bit more, but it doesn’t seem to affect him as much.”
In the coming days, Alex Lyon is expected to return from a left shoulder injury, meaning the Sabres, barring an injury, will have three goalies on their 23-man roster.
They carried three netminders throughout last season, although each one missed time.
“It’s really been our strength,” Ruff said. “If you look back last year, not that you want this, but it seemed like as somebody was getting healthy, somebody else got a little banged up. Toward the end of the year, we ended up with three, but we know that all three guys can help us win hockey games.
“I think we’ve seen around the league where you lose a goaltender, and you start searching for one. Having that extra guy is really valuable.”
In lineup news, Ruff said center Jiri Kulich (concussion) and defenseman Conor Timmins (lower body) are available to play tonight. Based on when the players departed the ice following the optional morning skate, it appears they will sit out against the Senators.
The Sabres, who begin a four-game home stand, are just 3-3-0 at KeyBank Center this season.
They’ve often fallen behind multiple goals and chased games.
“That was yesterday’s conversation about playing better at home, getting off to better starts at home and playing better at home,” Ruff said. “Part of that, I think, is playing a simpler game.”