The Buffalo Sabres' eight-game winning streak is over but the team's outlook remains overwhelmingly positive heading into a rivalry battle with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff provided updates on several injured players following Friday's practice, which featured some added intensity after the Blue and Gold were lacking in that area during the final 30 minutes of Thursday's loss to the Washington Capitals.
Buffalo remains second in the Eastern Conference with a 40-20-6 record (86 points) with 16 games left in the regular season.
Alex Tuch practices, questionable for Saturday vs. Leafs
Tuch missed the loss to Washington with a lower-body injury. Ruff stated after the game the 29-year-old winger would have likely been on the ice if it was a playoff game.
The Boston College product was back for Friday's practice, though the Sabres head coach declined to confirm he'd play against Toronto.
"A possibility," Ruff told reporters.
Tuch has tallied 57 points (28 goals and 29 assists) in 64 appearances this season.
Defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, winger Tanner Pearson and goalie Colten Ellis all missed the practice session for maintenance. They're all uncertain for Saturday, as well.
Conor Timmins nearing return to Sabres lineup
Timmins has been sidelined since suffering a broken leg against the Philadelphia Flyers on Dec. 18.
Ruff said it's possible the 27-year-old defender could join the Sabres for a skate on Saturday. If not, he should be back on the ice next week as he moves closer to game action.
Timmins had emerged as a key piece of Buffalo's penalty kill prior to the injury. He hadn't made much of an offensive impact, however, with no goals and six assists in 33 games.
The Sabres will have five defensemen (Timmins, Michael Kesselring, Zach Metsa, Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn) battling for the two third-pair lineup spots when at full strength.
Rochester Americans in a serious AHL slump
While the Sabres have been rolling along at the NHL level, the Amerks haven't been enjoying anywhere near the same level of success in the AHL.
Rochester is riding a nine-game winless streak with six regulation losses, two shootout losses and an overtime defeat over the past month. It hasn't won a game since Feb. 14 vs. the Utica Comets.
The Amerks have struggled to ice a consistent lineup throughout the campaign because the Sabres have been hit hard by injuries, necessitating regular NHL call-ups. They also lost a key piece when prospect Isak Rosen was traded to the Winnipeg Jets last week.
In turn, the Americans are no longer a virtual AHL playoff lock. They own the final postseason position in the North Division but the Belleville Senators (five points behind) and Comets (six) are still within striking distance heading into the stretch run of the regular season.
The Sabres will hope Rochester can bounce back to get some young players valuable playoff experience.