The Sabres, who wrapped up a run of four straight road games Saturday with their first loss away from home, are taking today off to rest. They will return to practice Monday to prepare for Tuesday's rematch with Tampa Bay.
Coach Lindy Ruff will update the status of Tyler Ennis on Monday. The left winger hurt his ankle just 2:15 into the game. The departure forced Ruff to juggle his lines, but he said that had nothing to do with the 3-0 loss.
"Guys were begging for more ice time. They got more ice time," Ruff said. "Don’t lay it on that. … I look at that as an opportunity for some guys to rise to the occasion."
Tuesday's game against the Lightning starts a stretch of five straight games in First Niagara Center.
"We’ve got to go home and play well, which is important," Ruff said. "We’ve worked hard on the road here. We’ve put together a pretty good stretch. Now it’s get our feet back on the ground and worry about improving."
---John Vogl
