THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Gritty Buffalo Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta has had surgery to repair a thumb injury and is expected to miss the final two weeks of the regular season.

The Sabres announced that Kaleta had surgery on Monday, before Buffalo's game at Boston.

He was hurt during a 4-2 loss to Ottawa on Friday, and missed Buffalo's 7-1 win over Tampa Bay on Saturday.

Kaleta has 15 points (10 goals and five assists) and 87 penalty minutes in 54 games this season.

The Northeast Division-leading Sabres (41-23-10) have already clinched a playoff berth.

After playing the Bruins, they have seven games left in the regular season, closing at New Jersey on April 11.