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Ville Leino returns to action while Derek Roy is hurting

Ville Leino

Buffalo Sabres’ Ville Leino, of Finland, talks to teammates during NHL hockey practice in Buffalo, N.Y., Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/David Duprey)

AP

Things just aren’t ever easy in Buffalo this season.

Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News reports that the Sabres are set to see Ville Leino return to action tonight but he’ll be coming back in time to replace Derek Roy. Roy was injured in Buffalo’s last game against Carolina and Sabres coach Lindy Ruff isn’t feeling too good about things.

“Right now initially, they don’t feel it’s too bad,” Ruff said. “But it’s going to be more than days.”

The downside of this development is that Leino has been miserable this season with just 10 points in 29 games. Roy has been a bit better with 24 points this season in 40 games. Those numbers still aren’t great but the Sabres would prefer not to lose anyone at all.

Considering that Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek have done all the heavy lifting offensively for the Sabres this season, now would be a good time for Leino to finally emerge as the scorer Buffalo thought he would be.