Zemgus Girgensons is expected to play tonight. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Zemgus Girgensons misses Sabres’ pregame skate

PITTSBURGH – Buffalo Sabres winger Zemgus Girgensons missed this morning’s pregame skate but coach Don Granato expects him to play tonight against the Penguins.

Rookie Brett Murray filled in for Girgensons at left wing beside center Cody Eakin and Kyle Okposo and also on the power play.

The Sabres recalled Murray from the Rochester Americans on Monday so they could take an extra forward on the road. Murray played one game during the Sabres’ recent four-game western trip after he was summoned to provide depth.

“If he has to play in any moment, we’re extremely comfortable with him, as we would be with several guys in Rochester,” Granato said inside PPG Paints Arena.

In other lineup news, Granato said goalie Dustin Tokarski will start tonight, his fifth nod in the last six games. In four career outings against the Penguins, Tokarski has compiled a 1-3-0 record with a 3.30 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage.

Meanwhile, Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby is expected to play just his third game this season. After undergoing wrist surgery, Crosby tested positive for COVID-19. He returned Sunday following a five-game absence.

Here is the rest of tonight’s projected lineup.

Forwards (from left to right):

Jeff Skinner, Tage Thompson and Rasmus Asplund

Drake Caggiula, Dylan Cozens and Vinnie Hinostroza

Anders Bjork, Arttu Ruotsalainen and John Hayden

Defense (from left to right):

Rasmus Dahlin and Mark Pysyk

Jacob Bryson and Colin Miller

Will Butcher and Robert Hagg

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