Sabres update: Skinner might be healthy scratch, bad news expected on McCabe | Buffalo Sabres News
Buffalo Sabres left wing Jeff Skinner (53) looks to goal as New York Islanders right wing Cal Clutterbuck (15) checks center Jack Eichel (9) during the second period at KeyBank Center, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021. (Derek Gee / Buffalo News)
NEWARK, N.J. — Two major stories emerged from Sabres practice Sunday afternoon in Prudential Center:
1). It appears Jeff Skinner — still with no goals and only one point in 14 games this season — will be a healthy scratch for Monday night’s game against the New York Islanders in Nassau Coliseum.
2). The Sabres don’t have final word on defenseman Jake McCabe’s right knee injury suffered in Saturday’s win at New Jersey but the team is preparing to find out as soon as Monday that it is season-ending.
Coach Ralph Krueger sat out Tage Thompson and Henri Jokiharju Saturday and his lineup wheels are now pointing at Skinner. Casey Mittelstadt skated in Skinner’s place Sunday with Curtis Lazar and Riley Sheahan, while Skinner skated with Thompson and taxi squad player Rasmus Asplund.
“This is my 11th year, over 700 games in the league and I don’t think I’ve ever really felt like I needed a day off to relook at things,” Skinner said. “I think I’ve seen a lot in this league. Run through adversity before my career. You just work, keep working and put your head down. And that’s what I’ll do.”
Skinner had a team-high four shots on goal Saturday and Krueger said his decision came in part from Skinner’s play in the two games against the Islanders last week.
Skinner played a season-low 11 minutes, 22 seconds Saturday but the four shots were one off his season high. He had only three shots in the two games against the Islanders, none in Tuesday’s second half of the back to back.
