Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson has suffered a lower-body injury and is currently out indefinitely, as confirmed by coach Lindy Ruff. The severity of the injury is significant, although Ruff did not provide details on the specific nature of the injury. Fortunately, it is expected that Samuelsson will not require surgery for his recovery.
The injury occurred during a recent game against the Montreal Canadiens, where a player from the opposing team rolled up on Samuelsson’s leg. This unfortunate incident took place in Samuelsson’s first game back after being sidelined for three games as a healthy scratch. Coach Ruff had made changes to the roster in an attempt to spark some momentum for the team.
In addition to Samuelsson’s injury, the Sabres are also dealing with day-to-day situations for leading scorer Tage Thompson and goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Both players have a chance to return to action on Thursday when Buffalo faces off against the St. Louis Blues. Thompson sustained a lower-body injury during the game against Montreal and did not return to play.
Despite dealing with an ailment, Luukkonen started in goal against Montreal but was eventually pulled after allowing four goals on 18 shots through two periods. The team decided to place Samuelsson on the injured reserve list and claimed goalie James Reimer to fill the open roster spot. Reimer, a veteran player with 15 years of experience, had been waived by Anaheim after struggling in two starts where he allowed nine goals.
The Buffalo Sabres are working to navigate through these injuries and roster changes as they continue to compete in the NHL. The team will need to rely on depth and resilience to overcome these challenges and stay competitive in the league. Fans are hopeful for a speedy recovery for Samuelsson and the other injured players, as their presence on the ice is crucial for the team’s success.