Sabres notebook
Slim chance Sabres' Miller will face Panthers
Published: March 24, 2009, 12:30 am
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Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller looked impressive Monday in his first full workout since suffering a high-ankle sprain that sidelined him for 12 games. It appeared he had only a slim chance to return to the lineup Wednesday against the Florida Panthers, but at least there was a chance.
Miller wanted to see how he felt today and Wednesday before predicting whether he would be ready for full-time duty. The veteran goaltender said several times Monday that he hoped to get back as soon as possible. The Sabres desperately need him for the final stretch of the regular season.
“My plan is to get in as quick as possible,” he said. “I really can’t tell you when that’s going to be. It’s really dependent on how quickly I get myself up to speed and how my ankle reacts. I don’t want to do anything too quick. I want to make sure I’m past that point [of a setback] and make sure we do everything the right way.”
Miller showed no signs that he was in pain during practice Monday. He was in net for 40 minutes before taking a 10-minute rest. He was more active in goal than the other two netminders on the roster. Backup Patrick Lalime and newcomer Mikael Tellqvist alternated with one another for most of the workout.
“Wednesday is not a likelihood,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. “It’s a long shot, a long shot with a chance.”
The biggest problem Miller had was getting into and out of the butterfly position, which puts additional strain on his ankles. He didn’t appear to have much trouble while moving laterally in the crease or from post to post.
Miller has been out since Feb. 21, when he was taken off his feet by Rangers center Scott Gomez behind the net during a 4-2 Sabres victory. The Sabres have a 3-7-2 record during his absence. The Sabres have 10 games remaining and hope Miller can return in time to lead them into the postseason.
“I’ve been trying to go as hard as I can,” Miller said. “There’s a difference between a twinge of pain and reinjury. It doesn’t necessarily grab anymore. It’s just a really nice ache when you’re done. It’s kind of graduating into that [tolerable] pain.”
Lalime played well when he first took over but received little offensive support from his teammates. He has a 1-4-1 record with a 4.35 goals-against average and .865 save percentage in his last six starts. Tellqvist lost his only decision and has a 3.30 GAA and a .902 save percentage in three appearances.
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The Sabres were off Sunday, so they had a 75-minute practice Monday that included periods of high intensity. Ruff had a four-on- four scrimmage for the final 10 minutes, which accounted for post-practice skating drills.
Tim Connolly was on a line with Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville; Derek Roy was between Jochen Hecht and Drew Stafford; Dominic Moore centered Daniel Paille and Maxim Afinogenov; Paul Gaustad was with Clarke MacArthur and Patrick Kaleta, and Matt Ellis was between Andrew Peters and Adam Mair.
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Irish tenor Ronan Tynan is scheduled to sing “God Bless America” on Wednesday night before the Sabres play the Panthers. Fans will have an opportunity to purchase his first Irish compact disc “Sing Me an Irish Song” that was released March 12.
bgleason@buffnews.com
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