The Buffalo Sabres practiced at LECOM Harborcenter on Friday prior to departing for their final game before the two-week break for the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off against the Nashville Predators on Saturday and had a number of players returning after they did not participate in workouts earlier in the week.
Sabres forwards Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens, and goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen were on the ice, while forward Beck Malenstyn (back spasms), and defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (lower-body) still were unable to participate. Luukkonen suffered a lower-body injury late in the morning skate on Tuesday and backup James Reimer started in the 3-2 win over Columbus. Felix Sandstrom joined Reimer and Luukkonen on the trip, so Luukkonen being in the lineup – even as a backup – against the Predators is uncertain.
Thompson indicated that the ill effects from the concussion suffered against New Jersey on Sunday afternoon went away after a few days and he expects to be back in the lineup on Saturday. With that, the Sabres returned forward Isak Rosen to AHL Rochester. The 21-year-old winger has 23 goals in 40 games with the Amerks but played only 11:46 in the win over Columbus.
“I think we kind of put him in a tough spot, because he flew across country to get here, and you’d like to get a little better look,” Ruff said. “I guess a little look is better than no look at all. We know what he’s done. He’s fit really well in Rochester, and he’s put to put together a real nice season.”
Winger Jordan Greenway again participated in the on-ice workout after recovering from surgery to repair a middle-body injury, but Ruff stated that he is on schedule to return to action after the break.
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