Sabres will likely play rookie Colten Ellis against Panthers, make lineup change

BUFFALO – Tonight’s contest begins a dizzying stretch of eight games over the next 13 days for the Sabres, including three in the next four days.

So expect both of their goalies, Colten Ellis and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, to earn starts throughout one of the busiest stretches this season.

Ellis, who this morning manned the net usually reserved for that night’s starter, is expected to face the Florida Panthers tonight at KeyBank Center.

“We’ve kind of laid out a plan,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said this morning. “(We) hope to just follow that plan, for sure.”

So Ellis, a rookie, will likely face the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions.

Luukkonen has struggled against the Panthers throughout his career, compiling a 0-4-2 record with a 3.14 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage in six games.

Ellis, 25, has never played against Florida.

He looked sharp in Thursday’s 5-2 road win over the New York Rangers, making 30 saves in his first action in a month.

“Both guys are playing well, so it really makes it an easy decision, that both guys can give you a win on any given night now,” Ruff said.

In other lineup news, the Sabres, who have won 13 of their last 14 games, might make a change up front, inserting 6-foot-4, 208-pound center Josh Dunne against the rugged Panthers. That would push out 5-foot-11, 180-pound rookie Noah Ostlund.

Dunne left the ice this morning before Ostlund.

When veteran winger Jason Zucker returned last week, Ostlund moved from a scoring line to the fourth trio.

“I think with Zucker coming back, it pushed him into a little different responsibility, and I think he’s handled it well,” Ruff said. “I’ve been able to trust him on faceoffs. Defensively, he’s been solid, so really like his game.

“We’ve got a good problem. We’ve got a lot of guys that have played good hockey that … we’re going to have get some guys in and out and make sure we don’t sit them too long.”

Dunne has sat out the last three games after playing seven straight.

“I think my mentality is whatever the day brings is I’m going to be the best version,” Dunne said. “We’re playing really good, we have a lot of good players, so I completely understand it when I’m out. And whenever I’m in, I’m excited to go.”