Injuries Starting to Show In Game Results

Buffalo Sabres forward Jochen Hecht was expected to miss the last three games before the All-Star break with what coach Lindy Ruff called a lower body injury.

He ranks ninth on the team with 25 points -- 12 goals and 13 assists -- in 43 games, and has been a steady contributor on a line centered by co-captain Daniel Briere, Buffalo's leading scorer.

To replace Hecht, the Sabres recalled rookie forward Drew Stafford from Rochester of the American Hockey League.

Buffalo will need the All-Star break to get some players healthy. Forward Paul Gaustad, listed as day to day, missed Monday's game because of an upper body injury and has already been ruled out to play Wednesday.

Defenseman Henrik Tallinder, who's missed six games with a high right ankle sprain, hasn't been cleared to skate and isn't expected back until after the All-Star break.

While the rookies called up have done an outstanding job this year, the amateur observer could say that the last few losses could have been at least partially due to missing or inured personnel.

Let's hope everyone gets healthy and stays that way when the games really start to count!!