Reinhart Milestones In Boston https://t.co/lJtwuOfiXd pic.twitter.com/lw3Nq8LjWb
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) November 6, 2016
It's too bad that Eichel and Reinhart won't be able to skate together in an NHL game until later this month when Eichel is expected to return from his high ankle sprain.
This Wednesday will mark the four week anniversary of Eichel's ankle injury. He is expected to miss between 6-8 weeks with his ailment.
Sabres GM Tim Murray said last week that Eichel is no longer using his orthopedic walking boot and is walking, pain free, in an air cast. Eichel has not suffered any setbacks and is progressing swimmingly according to his doctor's care plan.
All things considered, the Sabres have played exceptionally well without the services of Eichel (high ankle sprain) and power winer Evander Kane (cracked ribs). Tim Murray said last week that Kane is skatuing daily and is progressing nicely in his recovery from his broken ribs. Murray and Dan Bylsma have said that Kane could return later thi sweek.
The Sabres arrived in Boston one game over .500 and the winners of four of tehir past five games.
Buffalo have played stiungy defense in the absence of Eichel, Kane, and recently injured Zach Bogosian. They have only given up 16 5v5 goals against in 11 games played.
BUF now 4th in NHL with 2.18 GAA. Only MIN, WAS, CBUS better GAA. Sabres have allowed only 16Gs 5v5 in 11 games
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) November 6, 2016
The Sabres are even in their goal differential.
It's been nearly a month since Eichel, Kane injuries. In that time, BUF even in goal differential (25s), are 5-4-2 overall, 4-1-2 on road.
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) November 6, 2016
Eichel will have to take his boy Reinhart out for dinner at one of his favorite Boston bistros. Jack is partial to Trattoria di Monica.
Reinhart is spending his 21st birthday in his roomie/line mate Eichel's hometown of Boston. The Sabres will play the Bruins on Monday night.
The Sabres flew into Boston after their win in Ottawa on Saturday night. Dan Bylsma skated his team at Bruins' new practice complex where Marcus Foligno smashed Reinhart in the kisser with a celebratory Happy Birthday shaving cream pie.
Sam Reinhart gets a birthday surprise. "I didn't see it coming."
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) November 6, 2016
And our camera crew captured everything. Must watch - pic.twitter.com/GtlTXoy7tE
Happy birthday, Sam.
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) November 6, 2016
From: Your teammates. pic.twitter.com/PVO5iOt63n
Reinhart will hit an imprortant career milestone when he plays in his 100th NHL game on Monday night. The Vancouver native has scored 25 goals and 24 assists in 99 career NHL games in Buffalo. This season, Reinhart has potted two gaols and four assists. He has three PP points (1 PPG). Reinhart scored the game winning goal in Ottawa on Saturday night.
Reinhart is averaging 16:25 TOI per game this season.
Maybe Jack and Samson will get tattoos in Beantown to commemorate Samson's milestone birthday.
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Missing from Buffalo's practice seesion were forward Tyler Ennis and defenseman Dmitry Kulikov.
Ennis skated 11:04 TOI in Ottawa on Saturday night. Kulikov skated 20:35 TOI against the Sens. Has only has a goal and an assist to show for his offensive putput in his first 11 games of the season.
Ennis missed several shifts in the second and third periods.
Kulikov played the full game.
The Sabres practiced with just 16 players on Sunday because they did not bring an extra forward nor extra D on the two game road trip.
After the practice, Dan Bylsma said that Ennis and Kulikov were "maintenance" days. He said he expects them to play on Monday night.
If for some reason Ennis cannot play Monday night, it's likely that Tim Murray will call up forward ColeSchneider, who leads the Rochester Amerks in scoring with 6 goals and 7 assists in 9 games played.
If Kulikov cannot answer the bell in Beantown, Tim Murray can call up D Taylor Fedun who has scored a goal and six assists in nine games played with teh Amerks this season.