An upper-body injury will force Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin to miss his third straight game Saturday, coach Lindy Ruff told reporters Friday in Montreal.
“Progressing,” Ruff said of the defenseman’s status to reporters at the Bell Centre. “He’s feeling better today than yesterday.”
After shooting the puck in Monday afternoon’s 5-3 win over the Florida Panthers, Dahlin reached for his lower back and left the game.
The Sabres received more good news Friday on the injury and illness front.
Center Josh Norris, who entered concussion protocol after colliding with Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson in overtime of Thursday’s 5-4 win in Toronto, skated in Friday’s optional practice in Montreal.
“He feels good enough to be out there, so that’s a good sign for us,” Ruff said.
Meanwhile, Ruff said center Jiri Kulich, who left Thursday’s pregame skate because he felt sick, could join the Sabres in Montreal and is a “possibility” to play Saturday against the Canadiens.
Kulich had a blood clot surgically removed last season. Ruff said given the youngster’s history, the Sabres sent him back to Buffalo. He said Kulich underwent tests that came back negative.