'Maintenance day' for Roy, Connolly
The Sabres, who have back-to-back games Friday and Saturday, gave Derek Roy and Tim Connolly the day off from practice today.
It's commonplace for Connolly to get extra rest, but Roy's absence was rare. He was walking gingerly after Wednesday's 6-2 loss to Florida. Judging by the red marks on the back of his left leg today as he walked into the Amherst Pepsi Center locker room, he received treatment on the leg.
Both are expected to be on the ice when Boston visits HSBC Arena on Friday.
"Indications are they should be able to play. It's more to give them an extra day," coach Lindy Ruff said.
Right wing Mike Grier is not expected back. He skipped practice because of his groin injury.
"Not as good as we hoped," Ruff said of Grier. "Obviously, we had to keep him off again. He's at that same point where Toni [Lydman] was at where it just doesn't quite want to come around."
Ruff said he would decide later today whether to insert Lydman into the lineup Friday.
---John Vogl
