updated 3:35 p.m. ET Jan. 25, 2006

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Buffalo Sabres center Tim Connolly will miss at least six weeks with a left knee injury that occurred after a hit by Rangers defenseman Darius Kasparaitis.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said the hit in Tuesday night’s game was a cheap shot on Connolly, who was tied for the team lead with 38 points.

“I thought it was cheap, I thought he went low at the knees,” Ruff said Wednesday. “It may not be the dirtiest hit ... but he didn’t have to go low. He’s known for that. He’s a cheap shot artist.”

Connolly sprained his medial collateral ligament, and further tests were scheduled.

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In the second period of the Sabres’ 2-1 win, Connolly was skating with the puck and was struck directly on the knee by hip check along the boards by Kasparaitis.

Kasparaitis, who was not penalized, had no comment Wednesday, a Rangers spokesman said.

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