BUFFALO, N.Y. - Buffalo Sabres forward Ville Leino is missing the team's regular-season opener against the Philadelphia Flyers because of a lower body injury.

Listed by the team as day to day, Leino missed practice Saturday a day after he was hurt in practice.

Leino was well enough to join his teammates, coaches and Sabres owner Terry Pegula to greet fans in the First Niagara Center lobby when the gates opened before Sunday's game.

Veteran journeyman forward Matt Ellis took Leino's spot in the lineup.

The Sabres travel to play at Toronto on Monday.

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