Buffalo Sabres winger Zach Benson is expected to miss Wednesday’s away game against the New Jersey Devils due to an undisclosed injury, according to head coach Lindy Ruff. The 20-year-old has not participated in practices or games since sustaining an upper-body injury on February 2 after a collision with the boards, but he is currently managing a separate health issue.
Details on Benson’s Condition and Possible Timeline for Return
Ruff shared that Benson underwent medical evaluations over the weekend and is showing signs of improvement. The young player has been skating individually, which suggests some progress.
“He had some work up done on him,”
Ruff stated after Sunday’s practice at LECOM Harborcenter.
“We’re hoping that we get positive news. I was in yesterday (on a day off) and talked to him, and he’s physically feeling good. He’s just got another issue he’s dealing with we’re trying to get him through.”
If the Sabres receive favorable feedback from medical staff on Monday, Benson might be fit to rejoin the team for their Friday and Saturday road games against the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning, respectively.
Additional Team Updates on Rasmus Dahlin and Upcoming Practice Plans
In other developments, Ruff expects the team captain, defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, to return to practice on Monday. Dahlin recently competed for Team Sweden at the Milano Cortina Olympics and was set to rejoin the Sabres after the conclusion of the games.
Implications of Benson’s Injury on the Sabres’ Upcoming Matches
Benson’s uncertain recovery timeline puts extra strain on Buffalo’s lineup as they prepare for crucial back-to-back road contests. His absence could impact the team’s offensive options and lineup rotations. Monitoring his health updates on Monday will be critical for setting expectations for the remainder of the week and the team’s push forward.
