Sabres' Miller confident of return this season

Sabres starting goalie Ryan Miller has begun skating on his own to test his injured left ankle, and is confident he is on track to return to the lineup before the end of the season.

Miller said on Monday that he still feels some discomfort when he's stretching, but noted he has not experienced any setbacks during his rehabilitation.

"I fully expect to play," he said.

Miller, who has skated on his own over the past two days, has missed nine games since being hurt in the third period of a 4-2 win over the New York Rangers on Feb. 21. The Sabres have gone 3-4-2 without Miller, and sit in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings, three points out of a playoff spot with 13 games left.