Toronto Maple Leafs defender Mark Giordano Coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters he went for a morning skate Thursday in Buffalo but won’t play until after Christmas break.
Giordano, 40, broke a finger on Nov. 28 against the Florida Panthers.
The Toronto native has one goal and four assists in 20 games this season.
Now goalkeeper Ilya Samsonov is expected to start against the Sabers after Martin Jones was given the nod to play in the team’s final two games.
Samsonov was the last man in net in a 5-6 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, with the Leafs rallying from a 5-0 deficit in the third period.
Samsonov has a goals-against average of 3.51 and a save percentage of .878 this season.
Watch the Leafs-Sabres game at 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT on Sportsnet or Sportsnet+.
