The Buffalo Sabers were looking for any positive news heading into practice Thursday after a 6-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday extended their winless streak to 11 games. That came in the form of defensive end Rasmus Dahlin returning to practice for the first time since Dec. 3rd.
The Sabers expect to return their team captain when they face the Toronto Maple Leafs at Key Bank Center on Friday night, but Buffalo will not have Jordan Greenway in the lineup, as head coach Lindy Ruff said after practice that the senior midfielder. will have surgery and will be out for a significant amount of time.
The major leaguer is in the final year of a three-year, $9 million contract and was playing well in a two-way role to start the season, but dealt with a mid-body injury after the win over St. Louis. Louis on November 14. Greenway was out for more than three weeks before returning on December 9th and played in four games, but was scratched against the Habs on Tuesday.
The Sabers didn’t give a timeline for Greenway’s return, but surgery at the moment could have the 27-year-old back in the lineup after the NHL’s 4-Nations Face-Off in mid-February. Since Buffalo’s chances of making the playoffs are slim, that would mean the senior midfielder will be back in time to be available for removal before March 7th.th trade deadline.
Related: Sabers Beat Canadiens, Now 11-Winless
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