The Buffalo Sabres practiced at Key Bank Center on Wednesday after completing a four-game homestand sweep with a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night. The Sabres entered the game without their leading goal scorer, a key blueliner, and their top starting goalie and saw another two players get injured.
The Sabres were without forward Tage Thompson and defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, who were both injured in the win over New Jersey on Sunday afternoon. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen suffered a lower-body injury late in the morning skate on Tuesday, which necessitated the emergency recall of Felix Sandstrom from AHL Rochester and the starting of James Reimer against the Jackets. During the contest, fourth liner Beck Malenstyn left the game with back spasms, and center Dylan Cozens suffered a lower-body injury.
Head coach Lindy Ruff indicated after a spirited practice on Wednesday that Thompson took to the ice on his own prior to the workout, and will have to clear concussion protocol to get back into the lineup, but that things look optimistic. Luukkonen was seen observing practice and may get back on the ice on Friday prior to the club departing for Nashville for their final game before the break. Based on his disposition, it is likely that the Sabres starter will not play against the Preds, but will still be heading to Montreal to participate in the NHL’s 4 Nation Face-Off as part of Team Finland starting next week.
Samuelsson suffered an unspecified lower-body injury and was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday. Ruff did not elaborate on the extent of Malenstyn and Cozens’ injuries, which likely rules them out for Saturday.
On the positive side, Tyson Kozak returned to practice for the first time after being sidelined with an illness. The rookie lost a significant amount of weight and has to build up his stamina before returning to action. Winger Jordan Greenway again participated in the on-ice workout after recovering from surgery to repair a middle-body injury. Ruff stated that the plan was for the big forward to practice prior to the break and be ready to return to action when the club plays the NY Rangers on February 22
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