Sabres C Connolly sidelined with injured back

Oct 11, 2008 - 4:32 AM BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) -- Buffalo Sabres center Tim Connolly will be sidelined at least one week after tests revealed that he has a hairline fracture of a vertebra in his back, according to coach Lindy Ruff.

Connolly dressed for the pregame skate but did not play in the Sabres' 2-1 shootout victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Friday.

Following the game, Ruff revealed Connolly's condition and said that the 27-year-old is expected to be cleared to play within a week.

Connolly recorded seven goals and 33 assists in 48 games last season.

The Syracuse native, who was selected fifth overall by the New York Islanders in the 1999 draft, missed a total of 26 games last season with an abdominal strain, the flu and the injured hip. He sat out the entire 2003-04 campaign due to a head injury and appeared in just the final two regular-season games in 2006-07 due to a concussion.

The 6-1, 190-pounder, who was acquired from the Islanders along with Taylor Pyatt for Michael Peca on June 24, 2001, has registered 70 goals and 241 points in 438 career games.