OTP - Helenius Needs To Play Top-Six Center In Rochester The Buffalo Sabres followed up a victory in the opener of the 2024 Prospects Challenge over Columbus on Friday with a 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils at the LECOM Harborcenter on Saturday. Tyler Tullio, who was acquired in July from Edmonton in the Ryan McLeod-Matthew Savoie deal, and Jiri Kulich scored for Buffalo, but the Sabres were frequently stymied by New Jersey goalie Isaac Poulter, who made 33 saves in the win. The Sabres dressed nearly the same lineup that played against the Blue Jackets, except for forward Riley Fiddler-Schultz subbing in for Ty Cheveldayoff on the fourth line and 2024 seventh-rounder Ryerson Leenders starting instead of Scott Ratzlaff. Leenders faced only 12 shots, as the pair of Devils goals late in the third came when he was pulled for the extra attacker. One concern for Buffalo going into the tournament’s finale on Monday against Pittsburgh is the health of their blueline. 2024 draftee Simon-Pier Brunet was scratched for both weekend games with an unspecified injury, and on Saturday both invitee Jack Bodin and 2023 draftee Norwin Panocha left during the game and did not return. Amerks head coach Michael Leone was forced to play four defenseman for the second half of the game, and indicated both blueliners suffered upper-body injuries. Bodin and Panocha’s status for Monday is unknown, but with three defensemen potentially unavailable, the Sabres may have to bring in reinforcements for the tournament finale. Sabres Lineup Vs. New Jersey Forward Neuchev – Kulich - Rosen Wahlberg – Helenius - Ostlund Kisakov – Kozak - Nadeau Miedema - Tullio - Fiddler-Schultz Defense Johnson - Komarov Novikov - Laaouan Panocha - Bodin Goalie Leenders Box Score 1st BUF - Tullio (Fiddler-Schultz) 5:29 NJ - Xavier Parent 2nd NJ - Chase Stillman NJ - Matyas Melovsky BUF - Kulich (PP) (Rosen - Helenius) (9:28) 3rd NJ – Squires (EN) NJ – Stillman (EN) Shots on Goal Buffalo – 35 New Jersey - 14 Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA5MDMyMTYwODgyMDc1MjQ4/img_5780.jpg] LATEST THN BUFFALO STORIES Sabres Say They Are Ready For Accountability [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/sabres-say-they-are-ready-to-be-held-accountable] Ruff Sees Similarities Between Sabres And Former Club [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/ruff-sees-similarities-between-sabres-and-former-club] Ruff Hopes To Bring Winning Culture Back To Buffalo [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/ruff-hopes-to-bring-winning-culture-back-to-buffalo] Follow Michael on X @MikeInBuffalo [https://twitter.com/MikeInBuffalo]