Sabres’ netminder Robin Lehner missed three months after suffering a high-ankle sprain in this year’s season opener. He’s still feeling it. Team doctors evaluated his injury Thursday and told him to take some time off.
“A couple times he’s jammed it into the post and felt it a little more. It kind of happened a week ago and a little bit Wednesday night in the game. The high-ankle sprain is just one you deal with for a long time. I don’t think at any one point in time he hasn’t been dealing with it since he’s come back.” – Coach Dan Bylsma
When asked if he’s going to be shut down for the season, Byslma replied, “That’s not the thought process right now.”
Chad Johnson will start against the Senators in First Niagara Center and could play back-to-back games when the Sabres play the Leafs Saturday in Toronto.
“I always prepare to play every game,” said Johnson, who has won his last four starts.
Newly-signed R.P.I goaltender Jason Kasdorf is with the team, but he’s still dealing with a minor groin injury that kept him out of the ECAC quarterfinal game. He hasn’t taken the ice yet and is likely at least a week away from taking shots in practice.
In Rochester, the Amerks are still fighting for a playoff spot, which may have factored in Tim Murray’s decision to recall Nathan Lieuwen over Linus Ullmark. Lieuwen has played in 26 games and is 14-10-1 with a 2.86 GAA and .911 save percentage for the Amerks. Ullmark has played in 19 games and is 10-8-0 with a 2.91 GAA and .917 save percentage.