BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Sabres leading scorer Jeff Skinner returned to action in the third period Saturday, just one period after he required assistance to leave the ice after hurting his lower left leg in a 5-2 victory against the Washington Capitals.
It was a remarkable turn of events for Skinner. The forward was unable to place any weight on his left leg and at one point attempted to crawl off the ice before play was stopped 4:42 into the period.
The injury occurred when both he and Capitals forward Carl Hagelin were in the slot and turned at the same time to follow the play to their left. The two touched skates and Skinner was tripped up and fell heavily to the ice when Hagelin's stick got caught between both of his legs.
Skinner was in immediate pain and, after play was stopped, was helped off the ice and led to the dressing room.
Hagelin was penalized for tripping.
Skinner began the day with 36 goals, tied for third in the NHL and one short of matching a career high.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.