MONTREAL – Nine days ago, shortly after center Konsta Helenius arrived in Buffalo to serve as a Black Ace, the Sabres promoted the rookie to the main practice group.
While the Sabres boast depth up front, Helenius, who turned 20 on Monday, is a high-end young talent. By moving him up, they illustrated he could be an option during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Tonight, in Game 4 of the Sabres’ second-round series, Helenius is expected to make his NHL postseason debut against the Canadiens in the Bell Centre.
The Sabres, who trail the best-of-seven series 2-1, need a spark after suffering two straight four-goal losses.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff wouldn’t confirm his lineup. Helenius, however, said he learned this morning he would be playing.
“I was expecting the call up, but not to play right away,” said Helenius, the 14th overall pick in 2024.
The speedy Finn centered Jason Zucker and Jack Quinn during the pregame skate. Center Ryan McLeod moved the to fourth line between Jordan Greenway and Beck Malenstyn. Center Sam Carrick is expected to be scratched.
Helenius, whose 62 points in 63 games this season tied for the Rochester Americans’ lead with defenseman Zac Jones, played his first nine NHL games leading up to the Olympic break earlier this season.
The Sabres’ top forward prospect left a positive impression, scoring one goal and four points.
“He’s a talented kid that produced some offense,” Ruff said. “He made plays. He made plays at the American League level.”
Helenius has developed into a special player in Rochester. Even in his second season with the Amerks, he still ranked among the AHL’s youngster players.
With recalls, injuries and trade decimating the lineup, he took on big minutes and more responsibility, morphing into one of the Amerks’ drivers.
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound said he got “faster and stronger this season.”
“It was much easier to come here second year,” he said. “You know the coaches, you know the players, so it was just much easier.”
Helenius has excelled in the postseason as a pro. Last season, he scored three goals and six points in eight games for the Amerks in the Calder Cup Playoffs. This year, he registered two goals and three points in three contests.
At just 17 in 2023-24, he thrived for Jukurit, a top-tier pro team in Liiga, scoring two goals and six points in six games.
“It’s different, but it helps me, too,” he said of his experience.
The NHL postseason, of course, is a different beast.