The Buffalo Sabres hit the ice on Thursday morning before catching their flight to Boston. With a chance to eliminate the Bruins on Friday night, the team worked through several critical lineup adjustments during the session.
Norris Returns as Ostlund Sits
The forward group will see a significant shift in the middle six. Josh Norris is fully expected to return to his role as the third-line center, skating alongside Zach Benson and Josh Doan. Consequently, Noah Ostlund will miss the immediate future due to a lower-body injury he sustained during Game 5.
Norris missed the previous three matchups with a minor nagging ailment. While he did not find the scoresheet in the first two games of the series, he controlled the faceoff dot and generated multiple high-danger scoring opportunities. Furthermore, practice indications suggest he will reclaim his spot on the right half-wall for the top power-play unit. Head coach Lindy Ruff noted that Norris looked fantastic during the morning skate and has a prime opportunity to make a massive impact upon his return.
Besides that center swap, the offensive trios remain untouched. Additionally, Alex Lyon will take the crease for his fourth consecutive start.
Stanley Unlikely, Kesselring Prepared
On the back end, Buffalo might face a notable absence. Imposing defenseman Logan Stanley sat out Thursday’s skate with an illness, leaving his availability for Game 6 completely up in the air. Ruff indicated that while the blueliner’s condition improved slightly, his depleted energy levels from a lack of nutrition over the last two days will heavily dictate his playing status.
If Stanley cannot suit up, Michael Kesselring is the clear favorite to step onto the third pairing next to Conor Timmins. The New Hampshire native has only seen action twice since the middle of March. However, he is thrilled about the distinct possibility of making his playoff debut in his own backyard. Kesselring feels entirely recovered from his previous lower-body issues and believes his extended practice reps have perfectly prepared him to step in seamlessly to help the roster.
Road Chemistry Fuels Postseason Success
Buffalo found massive success at TD Garden earlier in the series, capturing both Games 3 and 4. Alex Tuch attributes this road dominance to the exceptional camaraderie the roster shares away from the rink. During their extended stay in Massachusetts last week, the team bonded heavily over group dinners, video games, and intense poker sessions.
Table tennis has also become a major focal point for locker room bragging rights. Tuch specifically crowned veteran forward Tanner Pearson as the ultimate ping-pong champion of the group, pointing out that Pearson becomes nearly unbeatable once he warms up for a few games.
Black Aces Join the Fold
Following the conclusion of the Rochester Americans’ postseason run, Buffalo officially summoned a group of AHL prospects to serve as an extended practice squad. These call-ups will skate in separate, dedicated sessions orchestrated by Rochester bench boss Mike Leone.
The arrivals feature forwards Konsta Helenius, Riley Fiddler-Schultz, and Anton Wahlberg. Defensively, Vsevolod Komarov, Radim Mrtka, and Ryan Johnson join the ranks, while goaltender Devon Levi rounds out the group. Ruff stressed that this is far more than a simple viewing experience for the youngsters. They are expected to train vigorously, as playoff attrition could force any of them into the lineup at a moment’s notice.
Game 6 Broadcast Information
The Sabres will look to officially close out the series on Friday evening. Puck drop is slated for 7:30 p.m. at TD Garden. Fans can catch the national broadcast on ESPN, while local viewers can tune into MSG. Pregame coverage on MSG kicks off at 7:00 p.m., with additional digital shows available through the team’s official mobile application.
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