Robin Lehner suffers 'lower body injury' in Buffalo Sabres season opener

One of the Buffalo Sabres big summer acquisitions was hurt in the team’s season opener.

Goaltender Robin Lehner dropped down to his knees, anticipating a shot on goal in the second period of their game against the Ottawa Senators. Except he had trouble getting up.

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At the start of the third period, the Sabres announced Lehner would not return with a "lower body injury."

The play where Lehner was hurt looked quite innocent, but sometimes with goaltenders, muscle pulls or other problems can happen on the easiest looking plays. Lehner finished the game stopping 11 of 12 Ottawa Senators shots on goal in 27:30 of action. He allowed a goal 30 seconds into the game by Ottawa forward Kyle Turris.

According to NHL.com's Joe Yerdon, Lehner left First Niagara Center in a walking boot. Coach Dan Bylsma said Lehner's injury isn't short term. 

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The Sabres landed the 24-year-old Lehner shortly before the 2015 NHL Draft in hopes he could be their goaltender of the future. They sent the 21st overall pick in the 2015 draft to Ottawa in exchange for Lehner and center David Legwand.

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper

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