‘Canes captain Staal to miss game vs Sabres

The Carolina Hurricanes took a blow as Eric Staal will miss their next game due to an undisclosed injury. However, it also appears Jeff Skinner may soon be on his way back.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Injured Carolina Hurricanes captain Eric Staal will miss Tuesday night’s game against Buffalo.

Coach Bill Peters disclosed Staal’s status Monday and said forward Patrick Dwyer also will be out against the Sabres.

Staal is out with an unspecified upper body injury while Dwyer has a lower body injury.

The durable Staal has missed only 17 games during his 10-year career.

Peters also said forward Jeff Skinner is "getting real close" to returning after suffering a concussion during a preseason game Oct. 5 at Washington.

The coach said Skinner skated alone Monday, is expected to skate with the team before Tuesday night’s game and "hopefully by Thursday, he’ll be ready to go."

Carolina visits the New York Rangers on Thursday night.

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