Sabres Face Utah Mammoth Amid Injury Struggles on Road Trip

Salt Lake City, Utah – The Buffalo Sabres are set to open a back-to-back series against the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday night. This marks the beginning of a challenging four-game road trip for the Sabres, who are currently missing several key players.

Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon spoke about the team’s readiness for the challenge, emphasizing the need to perform despite the odds. “I’ve been in these situations before, where it’s like the chips are down, and those are the times you have to be at your best,” Lyon stated. He acknowledged that excelling on the road takes a different set of skills. The Sabres are still searching for their first road win this season, currently sitting at 0-3-2.

Buffalo recently opened this road trip with a 6-3 loss against the Carolina Hurricanes. The puck for the game against Utah is scheduled to drop at 9 p.m. EST. Fans can catch the action on MSG, with pregame coverage starting at 8:30 p.m., or stream it via ESPN+ for out-of-market viewers. Radio coverage will be available on WGR 550.

The Sabres will continue to be without their captain Rasmus Dahlin, who is taking a personal leave in Sweden. Additionally, they are missing five forwards due to injuries or illness, including Josh Norris and Justin Danforth. During morning skate, Colten Ellis practiced in net while Lyon and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen shared the other net, indicating that Ellis might make his second career start.

In a subplot, Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring will play at the Delta Center for the first time since being traded from Utah over the summer. Doan and Kesselring, who began their careers with Arizona, spoke warmly of their experiences in Utah. “Playing them in Buffalo was cool, but I think tomorrow in Delta will be really special,” Kesselring mentioned, reflecting on the support from fans.

The Sabres and Mammoth recently faced off on Nov. 4, where Buffalo fell 2-1 in a tightly contested overtime match. Lyon made 33 saves during that game, showcasing his ability to withstand pressure from a strong Mammoth offense. Meanwhile, Utah has struggled recently, losing their last three games and failing to score on the power play in six straight attempts, going 0-for-13.

As both teams prepare for the matchup, the Sabres aim to turn their road trip around and earn that elusive first road victory.