Buffalo Sabres' Robin Lehner injured in season opener

In the second period of the Sabres' season opener, starting netminder Robin Lehner went down with an apparent leg injury. Lehner was acquired from the Ottawa Senators for a first-round pick in the off-season.

If the Buffalo Sabres weren't already facing an uphill climb after 2014-15's basement finish, 2015-16 may be getting even more difficult as starting netminder Robin Lehner has gone down with an apparent leg injury.

After dropping to make a save midway through the second period, Lehner appeared to injure himself. He needed help off the ice and toward the Sabres' dressing room and has been ruled out for the remainder of Thursday's game.

The extent of Lehner's injury, and how long he may be out, has not yet been announced.

Lehner, 24, was a key off-season acquisition for the Sabres, who were without a surefire starting netminder after losing last season's goaltending combo of Michal Neuvirth and Jhonas Enroth. To nab Lehner, the Sabres dealt a first-round selection in 2015, which the Senators used to select Colin White.

If Lehner is down for an extended period of time, the Sabres will be forced to run with Chad Johnson, who spent the 2014-15 season with the Boston Bruins.

This past season, Johnson went 8-8-1 with a 3.08 goals-against average and .889 save percentage. Over his career, Johnson has a 28-14-7 record with, three shutouts, a 2.41 GAA and .914 SP.