BUFFALO – It’s a jacked-up, in-your-face and eclectic look.

On one side, there’s a brawny, tattooed and torch-wielding Uncle Sam rolling up his sleeves, readying for a fight. On the other, there’s a ferocious-looking eagle sporting some sharp claws.

When Ryan Miller began researching and designing his Team USA mask for the upcoming Vancouver Olympics, the Sabres goalie wanted to create a distinct look featuring some American symbols no one had used before.

Besides some standard fare – the Olympic rings and logo – “Don’t tread on me” and “1776” are painted on the mask, which Miller will only wear during the Olympics. Miller also has two clovers, something goalie Jim Craig wore on his 1980 Olympic mask.

Elements of the Declaration of Independence and a scroll will adorn the back plate when it’s finished.

“Just little things that are very patriotic that you don’t see often,” said Miller, who made 23 saves in the Sabres’ 4-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday at HSBC Arena. “I just wanted to be a little different.”

Miller said he scoured the Internet looking for interesting ideas. He eventually sent some sketches to Ray Bishop, his artist at the Warwick Mask Company in Port Huron, Mich.

“I’ve worked with him since I’ve been a freshman in college,” Miller said. “Every time I’ve give him an idea, I send him an e-mail just to find elements and maybe give him some sketches and stuff. He comes up with something that’s amazing.

“He really went nuts on that,” he said. “It took him about 40, 50 hours. I think it probably took longer than my standard mask, which takes a month.”

Miller has been breaking the mask in during practice.

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Sabres coach Lindy Ruff made one lineup change, inserting defenseman Steve Montador after a one-game absence. To make room, forward Matt Ellis sat.

Montador moved up front to the fourth line early, skating sparingly on the left wing beside Tim Kennedy and Adam Mair. Montador later went back to the blue line. He skated only 6:56.

“We’re going to dress an extra (defenseman),” Ruff said. “I really thought looking at (Andrej Sekera’s) game defensively, we didn’t know what we’re going to get.”

After sitting 13 straight and 15 of 16, Sekera played his second straight game, registering a goal and three points. He also scored Wednesday, when he was on the ice for three Ottawa goals.

“The defensive side has been tough,” Ruff said of Sekera’s game. “The offensive side has been good.”

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Analyst Mike Robitaille will be absent from the Sabres’ broadcasts until after the Olympic break following a minor car accident Wednesday, the team announced. A press release said Robitaille is doing well. Rob Ray will fill his role.

Notes: The Sabres also scratched winger Patrick Kaleta (foot) and defenseman Nathan Paetsch (healthy). … After taking a shot in the neck area during warm-ups, Carolina goalie Manny Legace stayed down on the ice briefly and excited early. … The NHL has fixed the high-definition, overhead camera that was unavailable Wednesday for a replay of a possible Jochen Hecht goal. … Since Ruff went down to three lines, Mair played only 2:14.