The forward was injured in a collision with David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins during the third period of a 3-0 loss at KeyBank Center on Friday.
"We felt his game, he was really getting a good combination of giving us defensively what we needed and also adding to the offense. Now we need to find it somewhere else," coach Ralph Krueger said after practice Saturday. "These are challenges we look in the eyes and as coaches we need to concentrate on the players that are healthy in here and that's what we'll do."
Skinner has 19 points (11 goals, eight assists) in 39 games this season.
"It's definitely a setback. He was really feeling good of late too and looked like he was on the verge of breaking out," Krueger said. "We all know he's streaky. and we could have used that streakiness right now, but it's gone and we need to fill the hole. Of course, that's what we're focusing on now, how to potentially mix the lineup up to get two lines, at least, scoring here again."
The Sabres acquired Skinner in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes on Aug. 2, 2018, and he had 63 points, including an NHL career-high 40 goals, in 82 games with Buffalo last season.
"We're going to miss him," forward Marcus Johansson said, "but it's a good opportunity for other guys to step up. I think a lot of guys are looking to do that."
The Sabres (17-15-7) visit the Bruins on Sunday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+, NESN, MSG-B, NHL.TV).
