MONTREAL – Based on their morning skate, the Buffalo Sabres plan to make three lineup changes tonight for Game 4 of their second-round series against the Canadiens, including switching goalies to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
After the losing the last two games by a combined score of 11-3, the Sabres, who trail 2-1 in the best-of-seven series, also plan to dress rookie center Konsta Helenius and veteran defenseman Luke Schenn.
Of course, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff wouldn’t confirm any lineup changes.
When a reporter started Ruff’s news conference this afternoon in the Bell Center by asking about Schenn, 36, the coach replied, “How do you know he’s playing?”
Schenn, a depth acquisition before the trade deadline, hasn’t played since April 15. He skated this morning alongside defenseman Conor Timmins, while Logan Stanley, who struggled last game, skated as an extra.
What has Ruff seen from Schenn over the past month?
“Just a guy trying to stay ready to play,” he said.
Ruff, who usually offers long answers and often displays his quick wit, became “Playoff Lindy” today, giving short replies in a serious tone.
“The mood is awesome,” he replied to a question about, well, his team’s mood. “We’ve been challenged all year long. It’s another challenge. We know we haven’t played our best game, and we know we know we need to play our best tonight.”
Following Sunday’s 6-2 loss, changes were expected.
Changing goalies is nothing new. Luukkonen and Alex Lyon formed a dynamic tandem for much of the season, often alternating starts.
“It’s what we are,” Ruff said. “It’s what we’ve been the whole year.”
Lyon performed splendidly after taking over for an ineffective Luukkonen in Game 2 of the Sabres’ first-round series against the Boston Bruins.
Ruff also has also defended him twice since Game 3, saying he had nothing to do with the loss.
Luukkonen, who hasn’t played since April 21, can help provide a spark. The Finn compiled a 1-1 record with a 4.19 goals-against average and an .825 save percentage against Boston.
Lyon replaced him not long after he allowed a goal from around center ice.
“You know what has worked to this point, what has been successful this year and you kind of try to go back to those details and work on that part of your game and just get comfortable with your game,” Luukkonen said of how he spent his time backing up Lyon.
Luukkonen called Lyon “a true professional.”
“He’s intense and he wants to win as much as anybody else and so do I,” he said. “But he’s played good hockey this year I feel like, personally, especially during the regular season. I had good games, too, so just I think the partnership this year has been working really well.
“He has carried some water in these playoffs and he has played really well, too.”
Helenius, who turned 20 on Monday, played his first nine NHL games earlier this season, scoring one goal and four points. He recently joined the Sabres after the Rochester Americans’ season ended and joined the main practice group.
“He’s a talented kid that produced some offense,” Ruff said. “He made plays. He made plays at the American League level.”
The Finn pivoted Jason Zucker and Jack Quinn. this morning. Center Ryan McLeod, meanwhile, skated between Jordan Greenway and Beck Malenstyn.
Check back later for more on Helenius. He will likely replace center Sam Carrick, who wore a gray jersey this morning as an extra.
Carrick returned from a left arm injury in Game 3.