Granato says rookie goaltender will start in one of back-to-back games on California road trip
The Buffalo Sabres gave rookie goaltender Devon Levi a chance at seeing some pucks fired in anger for the first time in nearly two weeks on Saturday, in preparation for his return between the pipes this week, as the club embarks on a three-game California road swing.
Levi, who was sent down in late November but quickly recalled after playing two AHL games, allowed three goals on 17 shots in the Rochester Americans 7-3 victory over the Springfield Thunderbirds on Saturday.
"I'll take any opportunity to play, so it was good," Levi said. “I don't think it was something that if I didn't have, I'd be panicking. I think it definitely doesn't hurt."
Levi has not seen action since a 5-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken on January 9. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made the last five starts of the Sabres six-game homestand, going 3-2-0, with a 1.21 GAA and .947 save percentage, including consecutive shutouts against San Jose and Chicago.
Sabres head coach Don Granato indicated that the 22-year-old will get his first start in one of the two back-to-back games against Anaheim and Los Angeles on Tuesday and Wednesday.
"He hadn't played in a while. (We used) Rochester as a resource," Granaio said, "(It's) good for him to get a game in the event he does play in one of the two back-to-back we have coming up. He's been in the net recently, so that's a positive."
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