Danforth finds his footing as Sabres weigh lineup changes
After a long recovery from a broken kneecap, the forward has played three straight games and earned praise for his penalty killing.
Justin Danforth says his skating is returning to normal after the knee injury that ended his previous season, as the Buffalo Sabres prepare to host Florida on Monday.
The 33-year-old broke his kneecap while blocking a shot on Oct. 15, 2025, then underwent surgery and rehabilitation. He has now appeared in Buffalo's last three games. Speaking to Sabres.com after Sunday's practice, he said his body felt good while acknowledging he had missed some scoring opportunities.
Danforth has averaged 10:05 of ice time and won 13 of 25 faceoffs, a 52 per cent success rate. Coach Lindy Ruff praised his work shorthanded, his skating and his persistence in puck battles, pointing to chances he created against Dallas on Thursday.
Buffalo has scored once across its last two losses. Danforth said generating goals around the net could help the offence, a style that suits the third- and fourth-line roles he has filled.
His place in Monday's lineup is still uncertain after he shared fourth-line practice reps with Tyson Kozak. The Sabres finish their homestand against the Panthers at 1 p.m. ET.
