BUFFALO – When the Sabres began their skate this morning, instead of a having a fresh body on the ice up from Rochester, Josh Gorges and Andrej Meszaros, the two defensemen injured Saturday, were practicing fully.
Defenseman Tyson Strachan, out the last four games, was also skating.
Seven defensemen will likely take the warm-up prior to tonight’s game against the Ottawa Senators inside the First Niagara Center.
The Sabres have some game-time decisions, but no recall is coming.
Update: Gorges is out.
Gorges is sporting a splint on his left pinky finger. The 30-year-old was hurt blocking a shot in the Sabres’ 4-3 overtime win against Florida.
“I felt relatively good, good enough to play,” Gorges said about his skate. “Now it’s a matter of making sure there’s doctor’s clearance and there’s no further damage.”
He added: “It’s not 100 percent.”
Meszaros, who took a puck to the chin, said he can play. Meanwhile, Strachan (lower body) also said he’s available.
Sabres coach Ted Nolan said defenseman Andre Benoit, a healthy scratch before the injuries, will play, so it’s unclear who would sit if everyone can play.
Goalie Jhonas Enroth will start tonight, his 10th nod in 11 games. Backup Michal Neuvirth will likely play Tuesday in Winnipeg.
