The Buffalo Sabres on Thursday placed winger Jeff Skinner on injured reserve and recalled Brett Murray from the Rochester Americans.
Skinner, 31, suffered an upper-body in Wednesday’s 5-1 road loss when Nathan MacKinnon hit him hard as he skated into the Colorado Avalanche zone, sending him backward toward the boards.
He left the game and briefly returned before departing again.
The veteran joins wingers Zemgus Girgensons (lower body) and Jordan Greenway (upper body) on the sidelines.
Skinner’s absence will likely be felt. His 12 goals are tied with winger JJ Peterka for the team lead. His 22 points are tied with Peterka for second.
On Wednesday, the Sabres sent Murray, 25, back to Rochester so they could activate winger Alex Tuch from injured reserve.
Murray played in Monday’s 5-2 home win over the Arizona Coyotes.
The Sabres play a road game tonight against the Vegas Golden Knights.