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Connolly

OTTAWA -- Buffalo Sabres center Tim Connolly was forced out of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series against Ottawa when he was leveled by a clean, open-ice check from Senators forward Peter Schaefer less than a minute into Monday night's contest.

Schaefer drove into Connolly, who had his head down, leading with his left shoulder as the Sabres center was turning right while carrying the puck through the neutral zone toward Ottawa's blue line. The hit knocked Connolly flat to the ice.

Play was whistled dead immediately just 58 seconds in. Connolly, who missed the entire 2003-04 season due to post-concussion syndrome, laid on his back while Schaefer hobbled around, trying to shake off the effects of the solid collision.

Schaefer remained in the game but Connolly was helped off the ice. The Sabres said he had an upper body injury, but he might be back Wednesday.

"We anticipate him playing," Ruff said. "He feels pretty good right now."

Connolly scored twice in Buffalo's series-opening 7-6 overtime win on Friday night, including the tying goal with 10.7 seconds remaining in regulation. He had five goals and six assists in Buffalo's first seven playoff games.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press