Sabres goaltender Patrick Lalime put in 40 minutes in the morning skate, then told coach Lindy Ruff that he is able to play tonight.
Lalime had been slowed by flu-like symptoms and Ruff was not sure if he'd be available for the Canes game. The Sabres' No. 1 goaltender, Ryan Miller, is out with a high ankle sprain.
"I feel a little bit stronger," Lalime said. "I'm ready to play."
Lalime is 2-8-1 in 14 games this season with a 3.16 GAA and .893 save percentage. In the last two games, against the New York Rangers and Anaheim Ducks, he gave up five goals on 34 shots and was the loser against the Ducks.
Lalime relieved Miller after the first period in the Feb. 15 game against the Canes in Buffalo. He stopped 28 of 29 shots as the Sabres lost 3-0.
"Obviously he's feeling better today so that's the good news," Ruff said. "We tried to push the morning practice a little bit more than normal and get a little bit extra time in — a little of it for (Lalime) and a little just to get the guys going."
While Ruff said it's a relief that Lalime feels stronger and can play, he said it's also important that Jhonas Enroth, a rookie callup from Portland (AHL), also be ready.
"You hate to go to a goaltender and say, 'Hey, listen, you've got to be ready,'" Ruff said. "He knows he's got to be ready, especially with the circumstances surrounding the game.
"But I think our guys will play well around Patty (Lalime). And if you need Jhonas, you use him."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
