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Getting healthy: Sabres send Lehner, Pysyk for conditioning stints

Matt Puempel, Alex Chiasson, Robin Lehner

Matt Puempel, Alex Chiasson, Robin Lehner

AP

Yesterday, we wrote about all the injury problems plaguing the Buffalo Sabres.

Today -- some optimism!

Head coach Dan Bylsma has announced that No. 1 netminder Robin Lehner -- who only played once this year before suffering a serious ankle injury -- and d-man Mark Pysyk, out since Nov. 17 (foot), will both go to AHL Rochester on conditioning stints.

Both are positive developments, to say the least.

Lehner was acquired from Ottawa at the draft to be Buffalo’s starting goalie this season, but his campaign was quickly interrupted when he rolled his ankle less than 30 minutes into his Sabres debut.

Linus Ullmark and Chad Johnson have done well in relief, but given the price paid to acquire Lehner -- the 21st overall pick in ’15 -- it’s obvious the Sabres want him in the mix.

As for Pysyk, he’d be a welcome addition to the club’s blueline. Prior to getting hurt, he appeared in 18 games and played 16:20 per night -- the former first-round pick (23rd overall, ’10) has struggled to become a full-time contributor at the NHL level, but will push to get back in the top-six once he returns from Rochester.