Buffalo, NY (My Sportsbook) - Buffalo Sabres starting goaltender Ryan Miller may be out indefinitely after suffering a high-left-ankle sprain during Saturday's contest against the New York Rangers.

Miller was run into by Rangers forward Scott Gomez during the Sabres' 4-2 victory at HSBC Arena, then fell awkwardly after absorbing the hit. He left the game and was replaced by seldom-used backup Patrick Lalime after stopping all 20 shots he faced to that point.

On Monday, Miller wore a brace on the ankle and did not participate during a practice session but was unable to say how soon he could return to action. The usual recovery period for injuries of this type is 2-to-4 weeks. During his rest, Miller said he plans to work with team doctors and conditioning staff on a workout regimen to speed up the healing process.

The Sabres will call upon Lalime to shoulder the burden for the time being, beginning with Buffalo's next game, on Tuesday, hosting the Anaheim Ducks.

The 28-year-old Miller was 29-16-5 with a 2.50 goals-against average and five shutouts in 2008-09, his sixth in the NHL.

Lalime has gone 2-7-1 in 13 games (10 starts) this season with a 3.17 GAA. The former starter for the Ottawa Senators has bounced around over the last few years, seeing time with St. Louis, Chicago and Buffalo since 2005.

The setback was the second major injury to hit the team in less than a month, after star forward Thomas Vanek fractured his jaw on February 7 and hasn't played since.