BUFFALO – Sabres winger Sam Reinhart, who briefly left Friday’s 2-1 loss to the Washington Capitals, is day to day with a lower-body injury, coach Ralph Krueger said.
Reinhart did not practice Sunday but accompanied the Sabres to Philadelphia, where they begin a two-game series Monday against the Flyers.
Krueger said Reinhart’s injury, which he suffered in a collision behind the net, “appears to be manageable.”
“We will do a pregame skate again tomorrow where we can then decide our roster after that,” Krueger said on a Zoom call following this afternoon’s practice at KeyBank Center.
Casey Mittelstadt, who’s on the taxi squad, practiced in Reinhart’s spot at right wing beside top center Jack Eichel and Taylor Hall.
Krueger also moved Tage Thompson, who started the season as Eichel’s right winger, to the third line beside center Cody Eakin and Tobias Rieder. Winger Jeff Skinner, who enjoyed a strong outing Friday, remained on the fourth line.
In other news, Krueger said winger Kyle Okposo, who’s missed both games with a lower-body injury, will stay in Buffalo and rehab.
“We’re optimistic about the direction but feel he’ll get better rehab skates and he’ll be on the ice tomorrow,” Krueger said. “We hope to have him back for Washington.”
That game in Washington next Sunday, which was scheduled to start at 7 p.m., has been moved to 3 p.m. so it doesn’t conflict with the Buffalo Bills’ appearance in the AFC Championship Game, which will start at 6:40 p.m.
