Patrick Kaleta has a history of injuries. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Patrick Kaleta could play next game

With 16:01 left in the Sabres’ 5-2 loss Monday in Ottawa, oft-injured Buffalo winger Patrick Kaleta tumbled hard into the end boards with Senators defenseman Jared Cowen.

Kaleta had trouble getting up and couldn’t put any pressure on his right leg as he was helped off the ice.

It appeared the 28-year-old, who tore his right ACL last season and essentially broke his face three months ago, had suffered another major injury.

But Kaleta could play Wednesday when the Sabres host the Tampa Bay Lightning, coach Ted Nolan said.

“Hopefully,” Nolan told reporters in Ottawa, “he’ll be ready next game. The one thing, we can rely on him. Boy, he gives you everything he can every shift, and we certainly missed him when he left.”

Kaleta fought Cowen earlier in the game, his first fight this season. The Angola native pummeled Cowen early. Later in the fight, Kaleta punched himself in the head.

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