Amerks expect to lose a goalie; other notes
Nathan Lieuwen and Andrey Makarov were on the ice in practice with the Rochester Americans on Wednesday morning but there's a very good chance that one of them soon will be headed to Buffalo.
Sabres goalie Michal Neuvirth suffered a lower body injury in the first period of Tuesday's 4-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks and he will be out an undetermined length of time.
The Sabres play at home on Friday against the New York Rangers, so they will presumably make a recall from Rochester later today, or Thursday.
"I'm sure something's going to happen," coach Chadd Cassidy said.
The real question is: which goalie goes up? Neither has been at the top of their game over the past few weeks.
Makarov has a 4.01 goals-against average, .864 save percentage and 1-4-1 record in six November appearances. He was pulled from one of his four starts.
Lieuwen has a 4.91 GAA, .838 save percentage and 0-3 record in his past six appearances. He has been pulled in three of his past five starts.
If nothing else, Cassidy said that for whichever goalie goes up, a "change of scenery could do them a lot of good."
Once a goalie goes up, the Amerks will need to find a replacement. There are no other healthy goalies under contract in the organization.
Matt Hackett continues his rehabilitation from major knee surgery in the spring. Based on the original timetable, he was to have received medical clearance to play by late December or early January, Cassidy said.
"I haven't heard anything that leads me to believe anything has changed," Cassidy said.
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Injury update:
Right winger Brayden Irwin (upper body) was to be examined later Wednesday by the team doctor and there is hope that he may play this weekend (home vs. Utica Saturday and/or at Adirondack on Saturday).
Defenseman Drew Bagnall (upper body) is making progress but he is doubtful for the weekend, Cassidy said.
Right winger Zac Dalpe (upper body) won't play this weekend.
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Not having Bagnall, their most experienced defenseman, in the lineup has been very evident in the Amerks defensive-zone play.
"Every partner he's been with has been the best D-pairing," Cassidy said.
His absence "has been huge in terms of communication and how much confidence he gives everyone," Cassidy said.
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The coaches gathered players at center ice after practice and talked for maybe five minutes, much longer than the typical that's-a-wrap chat.
Cassidy said game preparation was a topic, that players are having difficulty making sure that they're ready to play the second or third game of a weekend.
"You look at some of our starts; we've been atrocious," Cassidy said.
Take Saturday: The Amerks allowed four goals in the first 10:18 to fall behind 4-1. They lost 7-4.
The Amerks are 7-3 in games when they're fresh, 0-5-1 when in second (or third) game in a back-to-back set.