MONTREAL – Sitting in the press box watching the Buffalo Sabres lose game after game has been a difficult experience for captain Rasmus Dahlin.
“It’s horrible,” Dahlin, who has been battling back spasms, said after joining his teammates on the ice prior to Tuesday’s embarrassing 6-1 loss to the Canadiens. “It’s the worst thing, but I’m just happy where I am right now. It’s been a grind, but we figured it out and I’m in a good spot right now.”
Still, Dahlin, 24, did not play in the Bell Centre extended their winless skid to 11 games (0-8-3).
Right now, following a day off today, Dahlin plans to practice Thursday and play Friday when the Sabres host the Toronto Maple Leafs. He needs more than a morning skate before returning from a long absence.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff wouldn’t commit to his top defenseman possibly returning Friday.
“I don’t have the answer,” he said. “It was just another good day. He had a good day yesterday, a good day this morning. Hasn’t been in a practice, so I think we’ll evaluate when we get him in one on Thursday.”
The Sabres sorely need Dahlin, one of the NHL’s most dynamic defensemen.
When he left early in the third period Dec. 3, the Sabres led the Colorado Avalanche 4-1. They quickly imploded without him, blowing their huge lead and losing 5-4.
Counting the loss to Colorado, they began Tuesday 0-5-2 without him.
Dahlin, who often talks passionately about his teammates and love for hockey, has tried to stay around the Sabres as he recovers from an injury related to his long absence in training camp.
“Hang out at the rink,” he said of how he has stayed engaged. “I’m there before they come and I’m there after they leave. Be around in meetings. I’m on the road right now. So it’s nice to be around the boys.”
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Sabres winger Jordan Greenway, who has been battling a mid-body injury, left the morning skate early and missed Tuesday’s game. Greenway played four times after the injury sidelined him 10 contests.
Winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel, a healthy scratch for Sunday afternoon’s 5-3 road loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, replaced Greenway.
Meanwhile, the Sabres made one one change on defense, inserting Connor Clifton, a healthy scratch Sunday, for Jacob Bryson.