Much-needed reinforcements are set to return for the Buffalo Sabres as forward Tyson Kozak nears a comeback from injury. Kozak, who sustained a lower-body injury during an October 24 game against Toronto, participated fully in Wednesday’s practice at KeyBank Center and could be activated off injured reserve for Thursday’s matchup with St. Louis, according to head coach Lindy Ruff.
Before his injury, Kozak was performing well, scoring goals in consecutive games and maintaining strong defensive play. “It definitely sucks, but those things happen,” Kozak said. “Pretty much everybody goes through it, so I just try to stay positive. Luckily, it wasn’t going to be a long-term thing, so I knew I was gonna be back relatively quickly. It’s good to be back with everybody.”
Ruff praised Kozak’s versatility earlier this season: “He has confidence to play [Kozak] against anybody.” The coach has matched him up against notable opponents such as Nathan MacKinnon and Dylan Larkin. During 54 minutes and 19 seconds of five-on-five ice time this season with Kozak on the ice, the Sabres have outscored their opponents 2-0 and led in high-danger scoring chances.
“He defends quickly, he gets into people; he’s not a big guy, but physically, he can overwhelm somebody low,” Ruff said Wednesday. “He just thinks he can play pretty well against anybody, and his speed is up there with our top guys. Those two qualities put you in a category where you can close on people in a hurry, and then you can physically separate them (from the puck).”
Kozak acknowledged the trust placed in him by his coach: “Obviously it feels good to have the coach’s trust,” he said. He also reflected on his debut nearly one year ago and credited his teammates’ support for helping him adjust to NHL play.
With several injuries affecting the Sabres’ lineup—impacting players like Josh Norris, Zach Benson, Jason Zucker and Jiri Kulich—Kozak may see increased playing time beyond his usual fourth-line role.
On other injury updates from practice: Mattias Samuelsson took a recovery day but is expected to play Thursday; defensive pairs rotated during his absence. Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen occupied the starter’s net at practice and could start against St. Louis for what would be his third start of the season.
Josh Norris has started skating again as part of rehab from an upper-body injury suffered four weeks ago on opening night versus New York. Ruff commented: “He’s not in that ‘feeling great’ category yet, but he’s feeling better… The better he feels, the more we can keep doing with him.”
The Sabres continue to carry three goaltenders on their roster—Alex Lyon (who posted a .943 save percentage in an overtime loss November 4), Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (.912 save percentage in a shootout win November 1), and Colten Ellis (.935 save percentage in an October 22 win). Collectively this season they have achieved a .905 save percentage which ranks seventh best in the league.
“Just keep them all playing well – that’s my challenge,” Ruff said regarding managing three goalies’ playing time.
The Sabres will conclude their current homestand Thursday when they face St. Louis—the first of seven “Throwback Thursday” games featuring black-and-red uniforms this season.
