BUFFALO – The NHL announced this afternoon the Sabres will be opening the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday.
When will Game 1 of the first-round series be starting? Well, the time and the rest of the schedule will be released later, likely after the conclusion of tonight’s games.
“As long as they let us know by Sunday morning,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff cracked following this afternoon’s practice in LECOM Harborcenter.
Ruff acknowledged having a date takes away some the uncertainty.
“That puts us in the position where we can practice today, take tomorrow off,” he said. “We get into that every-other-day routine. So at least that part helps us prepare.”
In other news, Ruff said goalie Alex Lyon, who has missed the last five games after straining a muscle, is ready to practice.
“Felt really good today,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ruff said winger Alex Tuch and goalie Colten Ellis both missed today’s practice for maintenance.
While many of the Sabres top players received a night off Wednesday, Tuch played 20 minutes, 36 seconds in their 4-3 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars.
Ruff said Ellis is “just day to day with more maintenance.”
In other injury news, Ruff said “there’s a definite possibility” rookie forward Noah Ostlund, who has missed the last 10 games with an upper-body injury, can play during the first-round series.
Ruff said center Sam Carrick, who has missed the last seven games with a left arm injury, will miss the series.
Great news about Alex Lyon