Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – Erik Johnson was supposed to play his first preseason game with the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday in Columbus against the Blue Jackets. However, a nagging lower-body injury popped up and the veteran won’t be able to go, according to head coach Don Granato.
"Johnson had some aggravation, and because of that, we’re going to hold him out tonight. We don’t want to aggravate anything more," said Granato following Wednesday's morning skate.
"He wanted to go out on the ice, he wanted to play, but it’s not worth it. It’s one of those things he could aggravate, and then cost him another day."
Henri Jokiharju will take Johnson’s place in the lineup on Wednesday.
For the most part in training camp, none of the top-six defensemen have played their off side. The left-handed shooters - Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power and Mattias Samuelsson - have played the left side and the right-handed shooters - Jokiharju, Johnson and Connor Clifton - have played the right side.
Granato says it’s worked for now, but it always can change.
"I’ve certainly liked it, and they’ve stayed on that side, but it’s not because one is a righty and one’s a lefty," Granato explained. "They communicate very well and it’s good for this time of year, but we’re going to read and react. If there’s any adjustments from this, we’ll look for adjustments. So you can’t get linked and locked in on one thing. You just need the information of the day, and the information of what you’re preparing for the next day, and then you make your decision at that point."
Here's a look at the lines slated for Wednesday:
Forwards:
Jordan Greenway – Casey Mittelstadt – Alex Tuch
JJ Peterka – Dylan Cozens – Victor Olofsson
Lukas Rousek – Peyton Krebs – Zach Benson
Zemgus Girgensons – Tyson Jost – Kyle Okposo
Defense:
Rasmus Dahlin – Connor Clifton
Owen Power – Henri Jokiharju
Mattias Samuelsson – Ryan Johnson
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to play the whole game in goal on Wednesday, and will be backed up by Eric Comrie.
Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray will have the call of all the action starting at 7 p.m. ET, while I’ll be in Columbus and Pat Malacaro will be back in studio.
Losi and Gangi
