Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – Cody Eakin wasn’t at practice for the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, and is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings.
“Cody sustained an injury that we hope is minor, and he’s getting some imaging this morning just to give us a definitive of what it is," said Sabres head coach Don Granato after Saturday's practice.
Granato said Eakin could still be in the lineup once the puck drops on Sunday.
One player that is a possibility to return to the lineup on Sunday is forward Vinnie Hinostroza, according to Granato. With him coming back into the lineup and Eakin potentially out, that line on Saturday saw Mark Jankowski centering Hinostroza and John Hayden. The winger says has been back working for almost a week and he’s ready.
“The whole team’s been dealing with it the whole year, a lot of injuries," Hinostroza said. "I’ve been rehabbing for almost two months now, and I’m finally feeling we’re at the point now where I can play and they’re comfortable with me playing.”
Hinostroza missed 18 games with this ankle injury. Over a month ago, he tried to practice with the team, but left halfway through.
“When you’re dealing with ankles, you kind of feel good and then you don’t really know," Hinostroza said. "You do something full speed and you kind of take a step back, so that’s what I did there.
“I was disappointed having hurt it again, and having to go back and do more rehab. But it feels so much stronger now, and I’m ready to go.”
Zemgus Girgensons is back working with the team after missing 19 out of the last 20 games.
“This was the first full practice he was in, so he looked good," Granato said. "It’s going to be conversations on how he feels, and based on what I just watched out there, he’s probably day-to-day.”
Girgensons first got on the ice for the morning skate Wednesday in Toronto.
“It’s been great," he said following Saturday's skate. "It’s been awhile again, and it was fun being back out there.”
As far as when he could play again, Girgensons says he's not quire sure just yet.
“I felt good out there," he said. "I just have to take it day-by-day to see if nothing comes back. So I would assume next week. That’s probably when I’ll play.”
Girgensons usually pushes and gets back early from injuries. He’s inpatient, and he knows it.
“That’s been an issue a couple of times with me where I jump the gun and jump out there too early, and that can hurt you a little more,” Girgensons said.
Girgensons missed five games and came back to play one in Ottawa. He says this has lasted a lot longer than he first anticipated.
“It was something that kept getting worse with the more I played and the more I practiced," Girgensons said. "The only way to deal with it was to take some time off.”
Join Brain Koziol for pregame coverage on WGR starting at 12 p.m. EST on Sunday when you’ll hear from Granato, Hinostroza and Craig Anderson.
