BUFFALO – Sabres winger Jeff Skinner, out the last five games with an upper-body injury, could return for tonight’s game against the Anaheim Ducks, the start of a three-game road trip.
Skinner, 31, practiced Monday in LECOM Harborcenter in his usual spot at left wing alongside center Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch.
“Skinner went full go in practice, and I’ll find out exactly what that means,” Sabres coach Don Granato said Monday in KeyBank Center. “It’s definitely good he went through very well. I would expect him very, very soon, if not tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, defenseman Erik Johnson, out the last two games with an upper-body injury, had a rehab skate Monday. Granato said Johnson, 35, would likely accompany the Sabres on their trip.
The Sabres on Monday also recalled Jacob Bryson from the Rochester Americans to serve as an extra defenseman. They summoned Bryson, 26, last week for insurance.
In other news, Granato said “there’s a chance” goalie Devon Levi, 22, will start this week. The Sabres also play Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings.
The Sabres sent the rookie to Rochester on Saturday so give him his first game action since Jan. 9.
Levi, who was recalled Sunday, made 14 saves for the Amerks in their 7-3 win over the Springfield Thunderbirds.
“l’ll take any opportunity I get to play,” Levi said.
