The Buffalo Sabres returned to the practice rink on Monday after losing 2-1 in OT to the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night.
Buffalo Sabres head coach Dan Bylsma said Monday that defenseman Zach Bogosian looks like he'll be ready to play in his first game of the season sometime this week. Bogosian has passed all battle tests.
The big D-man hasn't participated in a game this season after suffering an injury in the early stages of training camp in September.
Bogosian has been sidelined for eight long weeks and is eager to get back to work.
The Sabres chose to take the high road with Bogosian's recovery. They listed him as week-to-week for the past two months. It appears to have been the best approach. Bogosian was able to make a full recovery rather than prematurely rushing him back to work too soon only to suffer a relapse of the same still unknown injury.
According to @BuffaloSabres, the D pairs in Monday's practice were:
Gorges-Ristolainen McCabe-Bogosian Colaiacovo-Franson
*Mark Pysyk rotated in
Will Pysyk be the healthy scratch when Bogosian makes,his debut this week?
It sure appears that way. I can't see Bylsma sitting mature beyond his years, D-man Jake McCabe right now.
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Sabres center Zemgus Girgensons missed Monday's practice after he was shaken up after being the recipient of a big hit at the end of Saturday night's game.
Dan Bylsma said that Zemgus was dealing with bumps and bruises on Monday.
Bylsma did say that the Girgenson's injury is not to the Latvian Locomotive's head.
Tim Schaller would likely be next man up to replace Zemgus if he cannot skate Tuesday.
It is unclear whether Girgensons will play on Tuesday night when Lindy Ruff, Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, Patrick Sharpe, Jason Spezza and the Dallas Stars visit Buffalo.