The Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman took the team’s optional morning skate, but was seen earlier in the morning with his left shoulder heavily bandaged up.
BUFFALO — Rasmus Sandin will miss out on the 'Battle of the Q.E.W. as the Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman will miss his second consecutive game due to an injury, head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed on Tuesday morning.
"He's progressing well, but not ready to play here tonight," Keefe said.
Sandin went to the KeyBank Center with his left shoulder heavily bandaged up. The Leafs have not confirmed the exact nature of the 22-year-old defenseman's injury.
The Leafs held an optional skate and Sandin took part.
"The fact that he wanted to get out there today and was able to move around a bit is a positive sign," Keefe said. "He's not far away. We'll have to see how he is for Thursday's practice."
Sandin appeared to be injured at the end of the first period of Saturday's 5-1 victory against the Montreal Canadiens but stayed in the game.
Sandin has four goals and 16 assists in 51 games this season. Timmins has played just one game since Jan. 27 but recently signed a two-year, $2.2 million contract extension. He scored a goal in his return to the lineup on Wednesday when the Leafs and Blackhawks last met.
Conor Timmins is expected to play again in Sandin's place and the Buffalo Sabres will see the same players the Leafs trotted out in their 5-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.