Eakin evaluated for injury while Girgensons, Hinostroza continue progress – NHL.com

Cody Eakin sustained an injury during the Sabres’ victory over the Minnesota Wild on Friday but has not been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings, coach Don Granato announced.

Eakin did not participate in the team’s practice at LECOM Harborcenter on Saturday.

“He’s getting some imaging this morning that we couldn’t get last night just to give us definitive what it is,” Granato said. “So that was the reason for missing practice. We will know more in a couple hours. … He could be in the lineup tomorrow.”

Eakin’s absence came as two other forwards took steps in their recoveries from injuries. Vinnie Hinostroza continued to practice and is probable to make his return to the lineup on Sunday, Granato said. Hinostroza has been out since Jan. 17 with a lower-body injury. 

Hinostroza originally returned to practice on Feb. 8 but left the session early. He rejoined the team once again on March 1.

“You’re dealing with ankles, you kind of feel good and you don’t really know, then you do something full speed and kind of take a step back,” he said. “That’s kind of what I did there. I was pretty disappointed hurting it again and having to go back and do more rehab, but I feel so much stronger now and ready to go.”

Video: AFTER PRACTICE: Hinostroza

Zemgus Girgensons, who has been out since Jan. 25, also practiced in a full capacity after wearing a gold non-contact sweater during the team’s morning skate on Friday. 

“I felt good today,” Girgensons said. “You just kind of have to take it day by day, see if nothing comes back. But I would assume next week is probably kind of the point of entry.”

Anderson nearing 300

Craig Anderson earned his 299th NHL victory on Saturday, moving him into position to become the 38th goaltender in league history to reach 300 in his career. (Dallas goalie Braden Holtby is also at 299.)

Anderson was asked what reaching the milestone would mean. 

Video: AFTER PRACTICE: Anderson

“I think it’s just one of those nice even numbers,” he said. “In March of 2020 when everything kind of shut down, I felt kind of cheated a little bit that way. Just felt like I had more to give and that was kind of a personal goal to set because if you don’t have goals, you have nothing to achieve or nothing to strive for, you can lose some motivation. 

“I think finding ways to stay motivated and that’s an easy one, to come into the rink and drive and keep trying to improve and compete. That’s an easy one to kind of feed off of.”

Lines at Saturday’s practice