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Sabres' Hackett could make season debut Friday against Canucks

Chris LaFrance / USA Today

A fresh face could be in the crease for the Buffalo Sabres when they face their former starting netminder on Friday.

Buffalo has yet to decide on a starting goaltender for Friday's game against the Vancouver Canucks, who will start Ryan Miller. Jhonas Enroth has started the last three Sabres games but is struggling, opening the door for Matt Hackett to see his first NHL action of the season.

Hackett was recalled from the AHL on Monday to replace Michal Neuvirth, who is out with a lower-body injury. Hackett is recovering from a serious knee injury suffered last April. He appeared in three AHL games before being recalled.

The 24-year-old's performance with Buffalo's AHL affiliate does not inspire much confidence in his abilities, but Sabres coach Ted Nolan is considering further roster shake-ups with the team's losing streak standing at 13 games.

"With us, a lot of guys have been 'pretty good' but we have to be better," Nolan said. "That's goaltending out to forwards to defense. We just need better efforts from everybody."

Enroth has a .851 save percentage in his last three starts.

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