Sabres RW Kotalik returns vs. Predators

Dec 2, 2008 - 12:38 AM BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) -- After missing his team's last seven games with a hamstring injury, Buffalo Sabres right wing Ales Kotalik returned to action during Monday's game against the Nashville Predators.

The 29-year-old Kotalik sustained the injury against the Columbus Blue Jackets on November 14.

"I never experienced any muscle injury in my career so it was an unusual rehab for me," Kotalik said. "I was working through all the pain and you have to do all the exercises for that particular part of the muscle, which hurts. It wasn't easy but two weeks isn't that much to miss and it could have been way worse."

Kotalik recorded five goals and five assists in 16 games this season.

Although Kotalik returned, the Sabres were without captain Craig Rivet, who was held out with an upper body injury.

The defenseman has five assists and 39 penalty minutes in 18 games this season.