Michal Neuvirth had a rough preseason. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres goalie Michal Neuvirth to make first start this season

BUFFALO – The Sabres will make one lineup change for this afternoon’s tilt against the Anaheim Ducks, but it won’t be on defense.

Sabres coach Ted Nolan said goalie Michal Neuvirth, who endured an awful preseason, will make his first start this season. The Sabres also play Tuesday in Carolina, so Jhonas Enroth needs some rest.

“Neuvy’s been well-rested,” Nolan said inside the First Niagara Center. “He’s got some great work in the last few days. So he should be ready to go.”

Neuvirth has never started a regular-season home game with the Sabres.

The Sabres will likely make one change up front, inserting Brian Flynn for winger Marcus Foligno, who Nolan said is “very questionable.”

Foligno was injured in Saturday’s 6-2 loss in Chicago. He could play Tuesday, Nolan said.

Update: Foligno is scratched.

The struggling defense tandem of Andre Benoit and Andrej Mezaros will be broken up, Nolan said.

“They’re both experienced guys,” Nolan said. “To say after one or two games you switch, you have to give them the benefit of the doubt. They have to rebound and respond.”

He added: “They weren’t the only two struggling.”

Nolan said Flynn will skate with Cody McCormick and Nick Deslauriers; Torrey Mitchell will skate beside Sam Reinhart and Brian Gionta; Cody Hodgson will skate with Zemgus Girgensons and Chris Stewart.

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