TORONTO – Goalie Devon Levi is back with the Buffalo Sabres.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Levi, 22, will start this afternoon against the Toronto Maple Leafs after being recalled today from the Rochester Americans.
Levi, of course, began the season with the Sabres, compiling a 2-5-0 record with a 3.95 goals-against average and an .870 save percentage in seven games.
After joining the Amerks last month to receive consistent action, he performed dynamically, registering a 7-1-1 mark with a 2.08 goals-against average, a .916 save percentage and two shutouts in nine outings.
The Sabres, losers of nine straight games (0-6-3), need any spark they can find following Saturday’s 4-2 road loss to the Washington Capitals.
“When we sent him down, we wanted to get him playing,” Ruff said in Scotiabank Arena. “The opportunity, with us getting in at 2 a.m., is he could be here rested, versus everybody else coming in tired.”
Veteran James Reimer, who has recently spelled No. 1 goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as Buffalo’s backup, struggled in his last start, Monday’s 6-5 shootout loss to the Detroit Red Wings.
To make room for Levi, the Sabres sent defenseman Ryan Johnson to the Amerks.
Ruff doesn’t know how long Levi’s recall will last.
The Sabres will make at least one other lineup change. Ruff said defenseman Henri Jokiharju will play after sitting out Saturday as a healthy scratch.
“We got maybe some game-time decisions,” he said.
Update: Winger Jack Quinn, a healthy scratch the last five games, will this play afternoon in place of Nicolas Aube-Kubel. Defenseman Jacob Bryson will replace Connon Clifton.