Jeff Skinner injury: What happened to Sabres forward after hit by Nathan MacKinnon?

Sabres forward Jeff Skinner exited the contest against the Colorado Avalanche following a big hit by Nathan MacKinnon that resulted in Skinner crashing onto the boards.

Jeff Skinner's injury was disclosed as upper-body, forcing the forward to exit the game as per Sabres' social media accounts. The announcement was made at the start of the third period.

Buffalo Sabres' official announcement regarding forward's exit from the game:

NHL insider Lance Lysowski provided a real-time update via Twitter, shedding light on Skinner's initial attempt to continue playing despite the evident discomfort.

Lysowski reported:

"Jeff Skinner went to the room. Went down the tunnel after that MacKinnon hit and returned, but he's no longer on the Sabres' bench."

Jeff Skinner's upper-body injury raises concerns not only for his immediate availability but also for the upcoming games. The Sabres, already thin on forward options with just 12 on the roster, may face lineup challenges if Skinner is sidelined for an extended period.

Sabres lose 5-1 after Jeff Skinner's exit

The Buffalo Sabres faced the swift onslaught of the Avalanche, resulting in a 5-1 loss for the Sabres.

Valeri Nichushkin's two goals, along with contributions from Mikko Rantanen and Miles Wood in the first period, showcased the Avalanche's speed. Defenseman Sam Malinski added his first NHL goal in the third period, adding to the memorable night.

Erik Johnson, honored with a video tribute in the first period and a special message from Gabriel Landeskog's family, expressed mixed emotions as he soaked in the recognition from fans. Johnson had played 717 games with Colorado before joining Buffalo Sabres.

Despite the heartfelt welcome, Johnson acknowledged the challenge of containing the Avalanche's top line, particularly Nathan MacKinnon, who marked his 800th career point with two assists. Johnson said,

“I just tried to soak it all in. Just felt numb all game. I wish the outcome was different for our team. ... That top line, when they get going, no one can stop them.”

Ivan Prosvetov, in goal for the Avalanche, made 29 saves, securing their victory. MacKinnon's remarkable assist performance extended his point streak to 13 games, solidifying his impact on the team.

Rantanen, who recently shut down comments about his offseason work ethic, fueled the Avalanche's dominant first period. While Zach Benson scored for the Sabres, it wasn't enough to overcome the Avalanche's early lead.