PITTSBURGH – In center Tyson Kozak’s absence tonight, the Buffalo Sabres will turn to the versatile Josh Dunne, one of their biggest surprises this season.
Kozak aggravated something and is day to day, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said, so for the third time in the last five games, Dunne will earn duty on the fourth line.
After beginning the season with the Rochester Americans, Dunne, 27, has emerged as what Ruff called “a real good depth option.”
He centered Zach Benson and Beck Malenstyn this morning’s during the pregame skate.
“He’s filled in on wing. He’s been at center,” Ruff said in PPG Paints Arena. “There were stretches on the road where, really, our fourth line scored some key goals, a heavy line that was able to control play down low.
“We’ve used him in some penalty-killing situations. His physicality is good for us. He’s stepped in for teammates. So he’s been a real good role guy.”
The 6-foot-4, 208-pound Dunne has registered one goal, four points and 36 penalty minutes in 30 games this season.
In other lineup news, goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start tonight.
The Penguins will be without superstar Sidney Crosby, who has been sidelined since suffering a lower-body injury playing for Team Canada at the Olympics.