Samuelsson returns to practice, could play in Sabres’ opener

The Buffalo Sabres had a welcome sight on the eve of their season opener: Defenseman Mattias Samuelsson was back on the ice for Wednesday’s practice at KeyBank Center.

Initially labeled week to week after blocking a shot and sustaining a lower-body injury eight days ago, Samuelsson is hopeful to be in the lineup Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“I’ve got to see how it feels flying, and then just see how it responds after a real skate,” Samuelsson said. “Looking good, but I guess we’ll see in the morning.”

“Hopefully he’s an option for us tomorrow,” added coach Lindy Ruff.

The injury can be chalked up to bad luck for a guy who blocked 154 shots last season, 14th most in the NHL. He was in visible pain when he took one off the foot in the game versus Columbus; it being the preseason, Samuelsson left in the second period to be safe.

“Mostly pain tolerance,” the alternate captain said. “Some swelling needed to go down to be able to fit the foot in the skate. Sucked that it happened, but knew it really wasn’t anything major.”

Last season’s breakout made Samuelsson a cornerstone of Buffalo’s blue line and team. As Rasmus Dahlin’s everyday partner on the top pair, he became an offensive weapon with 13 goals (three game winners) and 28 assists. He ranked seventh leaguewide in plus/minus (41), and his 132 hits led Sabres defensemen by a wide margin.

Samuelsson averaged 2:55 of shorthanded ice time per game as an anchor of the NHL’s fourth-best penalty kill. He’ll be especially important early on as PK partner Conor Timmins misses time with his own lower-body injury. Newcomer Louis Crevier could step into a bigger role there, too.

Buffalo will definitely begin its season without defenseman Olen Zellweger, who remains in concussion protocol. He’s continued to skate separate from the team and will go through the tests again Thursday – if all goes well, the first-year Sabre could play in Saturday’s home opener versus Chicago.

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Absent Zellweger, the Sabres practiced with rotating defensive pairs, the same forward lines from Tuesday and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in the starter’s net. If Samuelsson can't play, Buffalo would need to add a sixth healthy defenseman to the roster before puck drop.

The regular season opened elsewhere on Tuesday, and with the abbreviated training camp and preseason in the books, the Sabres are just about ready to start their 84-game schedule.

“I think everybody’s excited,” Ruff said. “We saw some of the games last night – some guys watched a little bit – and obviously there’s highlights going around. The feeling is, let’s get this thing started, let’s get started the right way."

Lyon's status

Goalie Alex Lyon, six days removed from his upper-body injury in Detroit, hasn't yet resumed practicing, but Ruff said it "just will be a matter of days before he’s back at it." So, Colten Ellis is expected to back Luukkonen up in Columbus.

Practice sound

Up next

Puck drop between the Sabres and Blue Jackets is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday. MSG’s pregame coverage starts at 6:30.