Sabres Lose Helenius Week-to-Week With Upper-Body Injury

The Buffalo Sabres have suffered another injury blow, with forward Konsta Helenius ruled out week-to-week with an upper-body injury. Head coach Lindy Ruff delivered the news on Monday, confirming that the 20-year-old Finn will miss time after being hurt during last Tuesday's 2-0 win over the San Jose Sharks. Helenius's last shift came with less than four minutes remaining in that game, in which he picked up an assist on Olen Zellweger's opening-minute goal while logging 11 minutes and 44 seconds of ice time. It is a frustrating setback for a young player still finding his feet in the NHL. Helenius has appeared in 11 games this season, scoring one goal and three points while averaging around 13 minutes a night. Buffalo have coped without him so far, building a three-game winning streak through California, but depth is already being tested. Ruff also said the club hope Zach Benson's absence from practice was only a maintenance day, with more clarity to come. The Sabres, 7-4-3, are off until Wednesday, when they host the Ottawa Senators to begin a four-game homestand. Helenius will watch that one from the sidelines, with no firm return date yet in sight.