Sabres regain Rivet, but lose Afinogenov

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Sabres captain Craig Rivet is ready to return after missing nearly a month with a shoulder injury, but forward Maxim Afinogenov is out indefinitely after hurting his groin last weekend.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said after practice Monday that he expects Rivet back in the lineup on Tuesday, when Buffalo hosts Ottawa. Acquired in an offseason trade with San Jose, the defenseman has missed 11 straight games since getting hurt during a 3-2 loss at Montreal on Nov. 29.

Afinogenov was hurt after being checked by Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara in a 4-2 win at Boston on Saturday.

Without providing a timetable, Ruff said he expects Afinogenov to be out for "a little while," and added the player will have tests to determine the severity of the groin injury. Afinogenov has two goals and 10 assists for 12 points in 34 games this year.

Defenseman Teppo Numminen's status is uncertain after he missed practice Monday with an illness.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-01-05-09 1705EST