Marco Scandella has been playing big minutes. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Marco Scandella sick; Alexander Nylander practicing with Amerks again

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Marco Scandella is “under the weather” but should play Tuesday in Pittsburgh, coach Phil Housley said.

Scandella, 27, missed today’s practice. With top defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen injured, Scandella has become the Sabres’ top minute-muncher, skating 25 minutes some nights.

The newcomer has zero goals and three assists while averaging 23 minutes, 38 seconds of ice time in 17 outings this season.

In other injury news, Housley said slick forward prospect Alexander Nylander, out since suffering a lower-body injury in rookie camp more than two months ago, has started practicing again with the Rochester Americans.

“It’s good to see that he’s skating with the team right now,” Housley said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “That shows he’s making really good progress. He’s going to have to continue to find his timing in practice, but that was intriguing.”

Housley said Nylander, 19, didn’t undergo surgery. The Sabres selected the Swede eighth overall in 2016. He played his first four NHL games late last season.

Check back later for more, including a full story on the Sabres’ offensive struggles and center Jack Eichel’s goal drought.

“He’s trying to do the right things, he means well,” Housley said. “He’s just got to continue to work through it.”

Update: The Sabres sent winger Justin Bailey, out the last five games with a lower-body injury, back to the Amerks this afternoon.

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