- Josh Norris entered concussion protocol after falling in overtime Thursday
- He took part in the Sabres’ optional skate on Friday
- Read below for Lindy Ruff’s update and the status of Rasmus Dahlin
Josh Norris is in concussion protocol, but the Sabres got an encouraging sign on Friday.
The center took part in Buffalo’s optional skate a day after leaving a 5-4 overtime win over the Maple Leafs, according to NHL.com’s status report.
Norris went down 2:41 into overtime when he fell awkwardly on top of Toronto defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson. He did not return, and Sabres coach Lindy Ruff confirmed after the game that Norris was in protocol, as The Buffalo News’ Mike Harrington reported:
Ruff was asked about Norris on Friday and sounded optimistic.
“He feels good enough to be out there, so that’s a good sign for us,” Ruff said.
That is not a clearance to play. Norris still has to work through the league’s protocol, and the Sabres have not said whether he will be in the lineup when they host the Canadiens on Saturday night.
The overtime fall came after a rough night for centers on both sides. Norris and John Tavares tangled early in the third period, a collision that left Tavares needing help off the ice. Watch the play that started it:
We have the full rundown on the Tavares injury and what it means for Toronto’s depth.
Buffalo is already short on the back end. Rasmus Dahlin will miss his third straight game Saturday with an upper-body injury, though Ruff said the captain is feeling better than he did a day earlier. Dahlin has two goals and two assists in six games and was averaging 23:38 per night before he got hurt.
Norris played 14:50 against Toronto, and Owen Power won it for the Sabres 3:14 into overtime. Buffalo would take the two points, but losing a key center for any stretch would sting.
