PITTSBURGH – Matt Hackett was home in Rochester, “about to pass out,” the goalie joked, when the phone rang around midnight.
Hackett had just been shelled in the Americans’ disastrous 8-1 season-opening loss, allowing six goals on 30 shots in just 36:35 before mercifully getting yanked.
The 23-year-old wasn’t expecting a recall to the Buffalo Sabres.
“Never seen getting called up for six goals,” Hackett said this afternoon after participating in the Sabres’ optional skate inside the Consol Energy Center.
But the Sabres needed another goalie after starter Ryan Miller (lower body) was injured in Friday’s 1-0 loss to Ottawa.
Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said Miller’s injury is “nothing serious, just minor.”
“It’s very short-term in nature,” he said.
Miller could still dress tonight against the Penguins. Backup Jhonas Enroth is expected to start.
The Sabres used one of their two goalie exemptions to go over the 23-man roster, Regier said.
This is Hackett’s first recall to the Sabres, although he played 13 NHL games with Minnesota and enjoyed a long look during Buffalo’s preseason.
Hackett immediately drove to Buffalo after his phone rang and took a limo to Pittsburgh this morning, he said.
“It’s been a crazy, crazy night,” Hackett said.
In other lineup news, defenseman Jamie McBain will make his Sabres debut with Henrik Tallinder (upper body) out. McBain said he’ll skate with Tyler Myers. Center Cody McCormick should replace tough guy John Scott.
Defenseman Alexander Sulzer has also been recalled from Rochester.
Update: Sabres coach Ron Rolston said Miller won’t dress tonight and is day-to-day. The goalie will be ready for Tuesday’s home tilt against Tampa Bay, he said. Meanwhile, Tallinder will probably be out around a week, Rolston said.
Related: Goalie prospect Hackett upbeat about future with Sabres