Ehrhoff to take warm-ups, could play for Sabres

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Defenseman Christian Ehrhoff may be back in the Buffalo Sabres lineup Thursday night when the team hosts the Montreal Canadiens at First Niagara Center.

Ehrhoff missed Buffalo's game in Ottawa on Tuesday with a muscle strain. Adam Pardy was recalled from the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League and made his Sabres debut against the Senators. Pardy played 18:25 and recorded an assist in the 4-3 loss.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said seven defensemen, including Ehrhoff, will take part in pregame warm-ups Thursday. A decision will be made after that. Ehrhoff is Buffalo's highest-scoring defenseman this season with five points and has averaged a team-high 23:54 of ice time per game.

"Early indications are [Ehrhoff] should be able to make it, but no guarantee yet," Ruff said.

Defensemen Robyn Regehr and Andrej Sekera participated in the team's optional morning skate on Thursday. Regehr has missed the last four games with a lower-body injury. Sekera injured his foot while blocking a shot in the first period against the Canadiens on Feb. 2 and has been scratched the last two games.

Ruff said that both defensemen could be back in the lineup this weekend. Buffalo has a road game against the New York Islanders on Saturday and a home game against the Boston Bruins on Sunday. Sekera may be closer to returning than Regehr.

"They're both very close," Ruff said. "They're both making good strides."

The Canadiens did not skate in Buffalo on Thursday. They will play the second game of a back-to-back series after hosting the Bruins on Wednesday.