BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Sabres returned to the ice Monday, as the team finished off a three-game road trip in Pittsburgh with a 3-1 win over the Penguins Saturday night.
Captain Kyle Okposo re-joined the team after missing the last two games with a lower-body injury. Though he is not expected to return to the lineup on Tuesday, head coach Don Granato says that Okposo is inching closer to his return.
“Still some soreness but good to see him out there and skating and we’ll – today was the first practice back for him, so we’ll see where he’s at day by day,” Granato said. “But he’s close. Not tomorrow.”
Okposo sustained the injury during a game in Ottawa on Dec. 31. After practice Monday, he reassured that a decision on his return will come after he completes a full, physical practice with the team.
The Sabres are 2-0 to start the new year after a 6-1 win over Montreal on Thursday and their win in Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Buffalo now sits six points out of a wildcard spot after their two recent victories.
The focus though according to Granato is not on the standings, but rather the current task at hand.
"We’re in the moment more. That’s where we need to be,” he said. “It’s not for us to be forecasting or projecting or whatever. It’s for us to be performing."
The Sabres kick off a six-game home stretch Tuesday night as they host the Seattle Kraken with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m.