Buffalo Sabres Plagued with Injuries: Is There Light at the End of the Tunnel?

Take a deep breath Sabre fans, the answer is “Yes.” 

The injured list for the Sabres was beginning to look like the Black Friday line outside of Toys ‘R Us.  Forwards Drew Stafford (upper body) and Rob Niedermayer (knee) are on injured reserve while Jochen Hecht (minor upper body) and Tim Connolly (groin) are hurting as well. 

Monday night, the Sabres announced that they have recalled forwards Luke Adam and Colin Stuart from the Portland Pirates (AHL) to help fill the gaps left by Stafford, Niedermayer, Hecht and Connolly.  Adam is presently the Pirates’ leading scorer with a total of 18 points, while Stuart is third with 13. 

Also, out is goaltender Ryan Miller with a groin injury that apparently occurred in the third period vs. the Los Angeles Kings last Friday.  

Miller rested on Saturday and Sunday and was on the ice participating in full practice on Monday.  Miller was quoted as saying, “(The injury) is nothing I’m worried about, just want to play with the guys and play at a high level.”  

When asked if he would be back on the ice for Wednesday’s home encounter with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Miller wasn’t quite ready to commit to a time frame but did say that he felt good.  If we don’t see him in the net on Wednesday, it will probably be a sure bet that he will be ready Friday vs. Toronto. 

Niedermayer, out with a knee procedure, will be out for a few weeks at least.  Hecht and Connolly should be ready for Wednesday’s game but will probably see limited ice time. Stafford did skate in Monday’s practice but is not expected to be ready until Friday. 

Barring any new injuries, with the exception of Niedermayer, hopefully we will see the team back at full strength by the weekend.  After Friday’s game vs. Toronto and Saturday’s vs. Montreal, the Sabres will have five days off to rest and most likely have a belated Thanksgiving with their families.

Here’s to hoping that turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes with gravy will be the cure-all going into December with the Sabres scheduled for seven games (four home, three away) in 14 days.

In that time frame, we should see No. 20 back on the ice as well—an early Christmas present indeed!

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