Levi, Johnson among Sabres prospects beginning conference tournaments

While the Stanley Cup Playoffs are still a month away, postseason hockey is right around the corner for several Buffalo Sabres prospects. Ryan Johnson, Aaron Huglen, Devon Levi, and Matteo Costantini are all preparing for their respective conference tournaments with an eye on a trip to the Frozen Four.
The regular season has completed across the country and conference tournaments are in full swing.
The 16-team NCAA field will be announced March 19 (6:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU), with the regionals scheduled for March 23-26 and the Frozen Four set for April 6 and 8 in Tampa, Florida.
The winners of the six conference tournaments - Atlantic, Big Ten, CCHA, ECAC, Hockey East and NCHC - and 10 at-large teams will make up the 16-team field.
Here's a breakdown of the Sabres prospects competing this weekend and how to watch their games.

Devon Levi, G - Northeastern University

The tournament:Northeastern earned the three seed in the Hockey East Tournament for the fourth time in program history. The Huskies will likely need to make a run in their conference tournament to earn a spot in the 16-team NCAA Tournament. A win over Providence on Saturday would send them to the semifinals in Boston next weekend.
How to watch:Northeastern vs. Providence - Saturday, March 11 at 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
The prospect: Levi was named Thursday as one of three finalists for the Mike Richter Award, given to the top goaltender in the NCAA. He won the award last season after leading the country with a .952 save percentage.
Levi returned for another season at Northeastern in part to prove he could follow up on his success. In 33 games, he has a 17-11-5 record with six shutouts to go along with a .932 save percentage and a 2.25 goals-against average.
Levi made a career-high 54 save in a 3-3 tie against Providence in February.

Ryan Johnson, D and Aaron Huglen, RW - University of Minnesota

The tournament: The Gophers finished the regular season as the No. 1 team in the country, making them all but a lock for the NCAA Tournament. They can pick up some additional hardware along the way as the top seed in the Big 10 Tournament.
Minnesota hosts Michigan State in the single-elimination semifinal on Saturday. The winner will play for the championship on March 18.
How to watch: Minnesota vs. Michigan State - Saturday, March 11 at 7 p.m. (Big 10 Network)
The prospects: Johnson, a first-round pick by the Sabres in 2019, has registered 17 points (4+1) and a plus-19 rating in 33 games as a senior. He also leads the team with 54 blocked shots.
Huglen (fourth round, 2019) has 13 points (5+8) in 32 games in his sophomore season.

Matteo Costantini, C - University of North Dakota

The tournament: The Fighting Hawks open the NCHC Tournament with a best-of-three series at Omaha.
How to watch: All games will be streamed on NCHC.TV.
Game 1: Friday, March 10 at 7:07 p.m.
Game 2: Saturday, March 11 at 7:07 p.m.
Game 3 (if necessary): Sunday, March 12 at 6:07 p.m.
The prospect: Costantini (fifth round, 2020) was named to the NCHC All-Rookie team last season after posting 21 points (8+13) in 35 games.
The 20-year-old has three points (2+1) in 26 games this season. He did not play the final two games of the season against Omaha.