Morning Skate | Eichel out for 'foreseeable future' with injury

Buffalo Sabres captain Jack Eichel will be out for "the foreseeable future" with an upper-body injury, coach Ralph Krueger announced Saturday.
Eichel sustained the injury during Buffalo's loss to the New York Islanders on March 7. Krueger said Wednesday that Eichel had gone out of state for further assessments.
"Because of the nature of the injury, we can't put a fixed date on that," Krueger said. "We're expecting it to go on a little longer."

The Sabres will also be without rookie forward Dylan Cozens for their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. Cozens sustained an upper-body injury after being checked into the boards by Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese during the third period of a 5-2 Pittsburgh win on Thursday.
"He will not be able to play today," Krueger said. "Because of the nature of the injury, we'll be looking at that day to day."
Cozens had slotted in on a line with Taylor Hall and Sam Reinhart during Eichel's absence. Riley Sheahan is expected to jump into that role based on the lines at practice on Friday.
Sheahan attended training camp on a professional tryout and earned a contract thanks in large part to his defensive game and experience on the penalty kill. He has tallied five points (3+2) in 24 games and scored during his previous experience filling in for Eichel against New Jersey on Feb. 25.
"I think it's important to try to keep your game consistent," Sheahan said. "I mean, I know what I have to do, but I think just being a little bit more aware of making plays and trying to sort of feed off [Hall and Reinhart], get to open areas and think a little more offensively is something that's fun.
"But just being conscious of the D-zone, being on the right side of the puck and winning my battles try to get the puck into their hands because they're so dynamic."
The Sabres are looking to snap a nine-game winless streak (0-7-2). Carter Hutton will start in net.

Scouting the Penguins

Evgeni Malkin extended his point streak to six games (3+6) with his one goal, one assist outing against the Sabres on Thursday. Malkin now has points in 13 straight games against the Sabres.
"I'd say he's up there with being one of the best players in the league, so when he's on, he's dangerous," Sheahan said. "I think just getting in front of him, trying to slow him down, not letting him pick up speed and keep him in the D-zone I think is huge for us. So, just got to focus on those things."
Pittsburgh has won four straight games.

Tune in

Coverage on MSG begins at 6:30 p.m. You can also listen to the game on WGR 550. The puck drops at 7.