Benson (face) isn't expected to play against Colorado on Monday.
Benson will miss his third straight game after taking a puck to the face during Wednesday's practice. However, he skated on his own Sunday and should participate in Tuesday's session. He produced 10 goals, 28 points and 120 shots on net across 75 appearances during the 2024-25 regular season.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Not playing Saturday
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Benson (face) has been ruled out of Saturday's road tilt in Boston.
Benson suffered a facial cut that required a stay at the hosptal. The 20-year-old was selected 13th overall in 2023 and is seen as a rising star with the Sabres. He had 10 goals and 18 assists across 75 regular-season appearances in 2024-25. He could return as early as Monday when Colorado comes to town.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Still out Friday
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Benson (undisclosed) will not be available against the Penguins on Friday, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.
Benson's injury was deemed minor by head coach Lindy Ruff on Wednesday, but it is still a situation worth monitoring for fantasy players now that Benson is sitting out the preseason finale. If the winger is healthy for Opening Night against the Rangers on Thursday, he should slot into a top-six role for the Sabres, likely playing with Josh Norris and Tage Thompson.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Dealing with minor ailment
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Head coach Lindy Ruff said Wednesday that Benson is dealing with a "little bit of an ailment" but downplayed the severity of the issue, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.
Benson was held off the ice for practice and won't play in Wednesday's preseason game against the Penguins. However, it's unclear if he'll be able to suit up in Friday's preseason finale against Pittsburgh. While the exact nature of his ailment isn't known, he should tentatively be considered day-to-day with just over a week remaining before the Sabres' Opening Night matchup against the Rangers on Oct. 9.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Earns assist Saturday
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Benson posted an assist, three shots on goal and two blocked shots in Saturday's 3-2 shootout win over the Lightning.
Benson has earned only three helpers over his last 10 outings since a two-point effort in Detroit on March 12. The 19-year-old is still seeing even-strength minutes on the top line, but he's losing out on power-play time more often late in the season. He's up to 26 points, 106 shots on net, 28 blocked shots, 26 hits, 58 PIM and an even plus-minus rating through 68 contests this season.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: First point since return
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Benson logged an assist and three shots on goal in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Senators.
Benson ended a four-game point drought, which included one missed game due to an illness. Since returning, the winger has filled a top-line role at even strength, which raises expectations for his offense. He's had a decent season with 10 goals, 14 helpers, 96 shots on net, 54 PIM and an even plus-minus rating over 63 outings, but he hasn't shown much growth from his 30-point rookie campaign a year ago. He's still just 19 years old and skipped the AHL, so there's plenty of learning for him to do on the job at the NHL level.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Not playing Thursday
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Benson (illness) won't play Thursday versus Utah, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.
Benson has earned four points over his last six games while filling a middle-six role. His absence will likely allow Sam Lafferty to get into the lineup, though Jack Quinn figures to get more ice time. Benson's next chance to play is Saturday at Minnesota.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Game-time call Thursday
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Benson is expected to be a game-time decision Thursday versus Utah because of an illness, per Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News.
Coach Lindy Ruff said Benson will probably miss the game, so don't be surprised if he's ultimately scratched. If Benson doesn't play, then Sam Lafferty will likely remain in the lineup. Lafferty is otherwise projected to be a healthy scratch to accommodate the return of JJ Peterka (lower body). The 19-year-old Benson has 10 goals, 23 points and 54 PIM in 60 appearances in 2024-25.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Two points in Detroit
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Benson produced a power-play goal and an even-strength assist in Wednesday's 7-3 loss to the Red Wings.
After helping to set up a Josh Norris tally in the final minute of the first period, Benson potted his own goal late in the second. The 19-year-old winger has two multi-point performances in the last four games, but those are his only points since Feb. 25. Benson is getting a look on the Sabres' top line with Norris and Tage Thompson while also seeing second-unit power-play time, but he remains a risky fantasy option despite his talent and upside.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: One step forward, one step back
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Benson put up two assists in a 6-5 loss to Tampa Bay on Thursday.
The slender winger hasn't take a step forward this season, but he hasn't exactly taken a step backward, either. Benson has 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) and 82 shots over 55 games after putting up 11 goals, 19 assists and 98 shots across 71 games in 2023-24. While he has 126 NHL games on his resume, he's still just 19 years of age, so some growing pains are natural. Benson will be fine, as long as the Sabres continue to allow his game to appropriately marinate.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Collects pair of points
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Benson scored a goal on two shots and added a power-play assist in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Penguins.
Benson earned his first multi-point effort since Nov. 29 versus the Canucks. The 19-year-old set up Owen Power's goal in the first period before scoring one of his own in the third. Benson has four goals and an assist over his last 11 outings while seeing steady middle-six minutes. Overall, the winger has 16 points (two on the power play), 58 shots on net, 32 PIM and a minus-1 rating through 39 appearances.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Nets goal vs. Colorado
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Benson scored a goal in Thursday's 6-5 overtime loss to the Avalanche.
Benson found the twine for the third time over his last five games, and the 19-year-old prospect continues to show glimpses of what he can accomplish despite multiple extended goal droughts this season. If he can remove the streakiness from his game, he could take his game to the next level. Benson has notched seven points (four goals, three assists) in 15 games since the beginning of December.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Finds twine in win
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Benson scored a goal on two shots in Monday's 7-1 win over the Islanders.
Benson briefly took a turn on the top line earlier in the month, but he's since returned to middle-six duties. The 19-year-old has two goals and five helpers over his last 11 outings. For the season, Benson is up to five goals, 11 points, 41 shots on net, 30 PIM and a minus-6 rating across 29 contests. He's young enough to have some upside in deep redraft formats, but his highest fantasy value comes in dynasty.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Buries goal Monday
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Benson scored a goal on two shots and added two PIM in Monday's 6-5 shootout loss to the Red Wings.
Benson ended a 10-game goal drought with the tally. He had been warming up with four assists over his previous five contests, and he's now logged multiple shots on net in five of his last six games. The 19-year-old winger is up to four goals, five assists, 31 shots on net, 26 PIM and a minus-1 rating through 22 outings this season. Benson is seeing steady usage in the middle six.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Two apples in loss
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Benson posted two assists in Friday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Canucks.
Benson earned a helper on Bowen Byram's first-period marker before adding an assist on Alex Tuch's game-tying goal in the final frame. The 19-year-old Benson didn't have a point in five games, dating back to Nov. 14, before earning his second multi-point effort of 2024-25. The left-shot forward will need more time and experience before being counted on to produce consistent offense. Benson has logged three goals, three assists and a plus-1 rating through 17 contests.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Nets marker in win
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Benson scored his third goal of the season Thursday in a 4-3 overtime win over St. Louis.
Benson tied the game at 1-1 in the first period, and he added four shots, one hit and a plus-2 rating in 17:21 of ice time. After being held off the scoresheet in his first seven outings while contending with a lower-body injury earlier in the season, Benson has produced three goals and an assist across a four-game span. The 19-year-old is currently occupying a top-line role and spot on the No. 2 power-play unit.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Pots goal Saturday
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Benson scored a goal in Saturday's 3-2 shootout win over Calgary.
Benson opened the scoring at the 1:11 mark of the first period to earn his third point and second goal in the last two games. He didn't have a point in seven appearances to begin the 2024-25 season, but the 19-year-old forward is starting to heat up offensively.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Shifts to IR
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Benson (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Monday, per the NHL media site.
Benson last played against Chicago on Oct. 19 and hasn't been skating. He can be activated when he's ready to return, but he will probably be out for a while longer. Benson has been held off the scoresheet in six games while contributing eight shots on goal and four blocked shots this season.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Not playing Saturday
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Benson (lower body) will not play versus Detroit on Saturday, according to Heather Engel of NHL.com.
Benson will sit out his second straight game as he has a lingering lower-body injury that has bothered him since the start of the season. The 19-year-old has been held without a point through six games this season. Consider Benson day-to-day at this time.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Set to play Thursday
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Benson (lower body) is expected to be in the lineup versus the Kings on Thursday, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.
Benson was officially a game-time decision, but he took line rushes alongside Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch on the first line. The 19-year-old Benson will have a big opportunity in that spot Thursday, though it's likely a temporary gig while the Sabres await the return of John-Jason Peterka (concussion).
