BUFFALO – Sixteen days and six games since the Sabres claimed Colten Ellis on waivers, the goalie will be starting his first NHL game tonight against the Detroit Red Wings.
“There’s been a lot of emotions the last couple days since finding out,” Ellis said this morning in KeyBank Center. “Something I worked my whole life for, and just super grateful and happy for the opportunity.”
So far, Ellis, 25, has backed up veteran Alex Lyon, who has compiled a .924 save percentage, every game. The Sabres claimed the rookie on Oct. 6 from the St. Louis Blues after they lost No. 1 goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to a lower-body injury and newcomer Alexandar Georgiev struggled during the preseason.
The Sabres on Tuesday sent Luukkonen to the Rochester Americans on an AHL conditioning assignment. The Finn is scheduled to start tonight against the Syracuse Crunch.
So with Luukkonen close to returning, the Sabres could be forced to decide Ellis’ future soon.
“Everything’s been awesome,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff of Ellis. “Extremely hard worker. He spends all the extra time after practice with the extra guys, and he’s put a lot of extra work in.”
“I feel confident to play. There’s nothing to complain about.”
From #Rochester, #Buffalo #Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is happy, finally healthy and excited to begin his season w/the #Amerks on a conditioning assignment in @TheAHL.https://t.co/cRnGnDdTDs
— Bill Hoppe (@BillHoppeNHL) October 21, 2025
In other lineup news, the Sabres will be inserting rookie center Noah Ostlund, arguably their top forward prospect, tonight between Jason Zucker and Jack Quinn.
Ostlund, who was recalled Sunday, sat out Monday’s 4-2 road loss to the Montreal Canadiens. He has recorded one goal and five points in four games for the Amerks this season.
The Swede played his first eight NHL games late last season, registering zero points. He compiled 19 goals and 36 points in 47 games for the Amerks last year.
“I think it’s typical when a young guy gets called up a lot of times he’s cast in that little bit different role,” Ruff said. “I think tonight he’s going to get a pretty good look, really, with us. So we may get to see a little bit more.”
With Ostlund up, the Sabres this morning sent forward Josh Dunne, who recorded zero points in two outings, to Rochester.
In injury news, Ruff said defensemen Jacob Bryson (concussion) and Michael Kesselring (undisclosed) both skated on their own this morning. Ruff said Kesselring could practice by the weekend.
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The NHL today moved the start times of the Sabres’ home-and-home series with the Maple Leafs to accommodate the first two games of the World Series in Toronto.
Friday’s game in KeyBank Center has been changed from 7:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday’s contest in Scotiabank Arena has been moved from 7 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The Blue Jays are appearing in their first Fall Classic since 1993.