BY: JOE KONZE JR.
There was a sense of relief surrounding Buffalo Sabres head coach Ralph Krueger as he took to the podium after Monday morning’s skate at KeyBank Center.
Krueger, who hadn’t been on the ice since Feb. 1, was back at practice Sunday after testing positive for COVID-19 and ran morning skate at today’s practice.
“I feel good to go,” Krueger said. “Obviously, with the strong support around me, it makes it easier. I feel ready to go, so we’ll just take it a step at a time. At the moment, I feel like it’s going to be a good night.”
The 61-year old coach plans to take his place behind the bench tonight as The Sabres (4-4-2) host the New York Islanders (6-4-3) at home in a MassMutual East division matchup. Buffalo has not played a game since a 5-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils (4-3-2) on Jan.31, before nine players were added to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list over the span of seven days.
A total of six games were postponed, and coach Krueger entered protocol on Feb. 4.
“Honestly, this whole time, just throughout from the first day of testing positive, I’ve just been taking a day-by-day approach,” said Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe, who was one of the nine players that tested positive for COVID-19. “I had another good day today so hopefully I have another good day tomorrow and just continue on managing it in that sense.”
Forward Sam Reinhart (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision. Defensemen McCabe, Brandon Montour, and forward Tobias Reider remain in COVID protocol but skated with the team this morning. All are game-time decisions.
Rasmus Dahlin returned to practice yesterday and took reps alongside Colin Miller, and is expected to return to the ice tonight.
As the Sabres take to the ice tonight for the first time in two weeks, here are three things to look forward to in tonight’s matchup.
Jeff Skinner on the top line:
Despite unfortunate circumstances, fans will finally get to see the 28-year-old forward play top minutes for the first time this season. Skinner, who started the season on the fourth line with Curtis Lazar and Riley Sheahan, skated alongside Jack Eichel and Victor Oloffson during the morning skate.
So far this season, Skinner has struggled to find the back of the net on the fourth line, but he has created high-quality chances despite seeing limited minutes on the ice. Just two seasons ago, the shifty and elusive winger collected 40 goals, 23 assists, and 49 points in 82 games, burying crisp passes from Eichel into the back of the net.
With Skinner playing alongside Eichel tonight, will we see some of that 2018 magic?
We will soon find out.
Jack Eichel back to full health:
Jack Eichel appeared a little more upbeat and focused when he returned to the ice last week.
The 24-year-old captain appears rejuvenated after spending his two-week hiatus watching film from last season and getting much-needed rest from an upper-body injury that he suffered just before the start of the 2021 season.
In 10 games this season, Eichel has two goals, nine assists, and 11 points but mentioned that he has no problem stepping up in the absence of key players to get the Sabres back on track in the division.
With a healthy Jack Eichel, can the Sabres creep back into the playoff conversation?
Linus Ullmark gets the nod in net:
Ullmark was the first to leave the ice this morning, which would lead us to believe that he is starting between the pipes for the Sabres this evening.
The 27-year-old netminder has been solid for Buffalo this season, posting a 3-1-2 record to go along with a 2.56 GAA and .914 save percentage.
With a lot of ground to make up within the division, it will be interesting to see how the Sabres plan to keep Ullmark fresh down the stretch.
Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m.
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