Tuch doubtful, Samuelsson ruled out for Friday, but both may play vs. Pittsburgh on Saturday
Tuch doubtful, Samuelsson ruled out for Friday, but both may play vs. Pittsburgh on Saturday
The Buffalo Sabres held an optional skate on Friday at Key Bank Center prior to the first of back-to-back games against the Minnesota Wild. Head coach Don Granato provided an update on a number of injured players and indicated that center Dylan Cozens will return after missing two games, and that rookie Matthew Savoie will make his NHL debut.
Cozens suffered a broken nose on November 3 and was wearing a full face shield in practice this week. Savoie missed over a month with an upper-body injury and played six games with AHL Rochester on a two-week conditioning stint. In six games with the Amerks, the 19-year-old had five points (2 goals, 3 assists) and six penalty minutes.
Granato indicated that his line combinations would depend on if there were any last-minute changes, but it is likely that Savoie will occupy the same spot that WHL teammate Zach Benson slotted into at times during the preseason, on the right side with Jeff Skinner and Tage Thompson.
Winger Alex Tuch was described as questionable for Friday night, but could possibly play in Pittsburgh on Saturday.
“(He's) dealing with some soreness that we're hoping resolved sooner than later," Granato said. It's gotten better, but I would say it’s doubtful he's gonna play two games and hopeful we can get him in (on Saturday)."
Defenseman Mattias Samuelsson was ruled out of Friday’s contest, with rookie Ryan Johnson taking his spot alongside Rasmus Dahlin, but Granato indicated that Samuelsson could be back to face Sidney Crosby and the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday.
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