Sam Reinhart is a game-time decision for the Buffalo Sabres' opener against the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday. He sustained a lower-body injury during the second period against the Washington Capitals on Friday.
What happened?
Reinhart briefly left the game but returned to finish, sparking Buffalo's lone goal of the contest alongside Taylor Hall and Jack Eichel.
Why it matters for Sam Reinhart
The Sabres need Reinhart's offense, and his absence would be felt, especially against a high-scoring team like the Flyers, who scored 11 goals in their two-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Reinhart remained on a line with Hall and Eichel during the team's morning skate, but if he's unable to play, Casey Mittelstadt would be activated from the taxi squad to take his place.
What comes next?
The Sabres face a tough test against the Flyers, who will be without center Sean Couturier, their second-leading point scorer last season, due to a Costochondral separation.
Linus Ullmark was initially set to start in goal for the Sabres, but he will miss the game for personal reasons, and Jonas Johansson has been recalled from the taxi squad to replace him.
The Flyers' Carter Hart will get the start, looking to build on his strong performance in the team's first two games, where he allowed five goals on 67 shots for a save percentage of .925.
Travis Konecny led the Flyers with a hat trick on Friday, and the team will look to continue their high-scoring form against the Sabres.
The Sabres' Dylan Cozens has moved up to the second line alongside Victor Olofsson and Eric Staal, following a strong first two games, and Tage Thompson has moved to a line with Tobias Rieder and Cody Eakin.
"I think we play the same way," Thompson said, discussing the team's depth and chemistry.
The Sabres will need to find the right combinations to take on the Flyers, who have shown their offensive prowess in the early going.
The game is set for Monday, and the Sabres will be looking to bounce back from their loss to the Capitals on Friday, where Ullmark made 19 saves.
The Flyers' win over the Penguins on Friday was highlighted by Konecny's hat trick, and the team will look to carry that momentum into their game against the Sabres.