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Roy in, Kaleta out for Game 7 against Flyers
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MIKE ZEISBERGER, QMI Agency
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  Buffalo Sabres' Derek Roy will play his first game since late December. (ERIC BOLTE/QMI Agency) |
PHILADELPHIA -- Derek Roy will play his first game since late December.
Patrick Kaleta won’t play at all.
Welcome to the ever-changing lineup of the Buffalo Sabres, who will be sporting a new look on Tuesday night for their biggest contest of the season.
In preparation for Game 7 of this riveting first-round Eastern Conference showdown between the Sabres and the Philadelphia Flyers, both Roy and Jochen Hecht, who has missed the entire playoffs to date with an upper-body injury, were out on the ice for the morning skate.
On the other hand, Kaleta and fellow forward Mike Grier, who entered the postseason with a knee ailment, did not skate. Sources say Kaleta did not even make the trip to Philadelphia.
Kaleta has been a controversial figure in the series, scoring the winner in Buffalo’s 1-0 victory in Game 1; taking a Mike Richards elbow to the head in Game 4; and allegedly taunting Daniel Briere and Scott Hartnell with trash talk about their recent divorces in Game 6.
There is a suspicion that Kaleta suffered a broken hand, although the Sabres would not confirm the injury.
As for Roy, he underwent surgery in late December to repair a quad injury in his left leg.
“The biggest adjustment will be the speed of the game,” Roy said. “It’s a lot quicker out there than when you are skating by [yourself].”
Asked if Roy would be limited in his role, coach Lindy Ruff said no.
“We need him to be a big part,” Ruff said. “It’s Game 7.”
Hecht was not sure if he could go.
“It’s close,” he said.
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