Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Mark Giordano took morning skate on Thursday in Buffalo, but will not play until after the Christmas break, coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters.
The 40-year-old Giordano broke a finger on Nov. 28 against the Florida Panthers.
The Toronto native has one goal and four assists in 20 games this season.
Meanwhile, goaltender Ilya Samsonov is expected to start against the Sabres after Martin Jones got the call for the team's previous two games.
Samsonov was last in net for a 6-5 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets in which the Leafs fought back from a 5-0 deficit in the third period.
Samsonov has a 3.51 goals-against average and .878 save percentage this season.
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