Sabres Notes: Dahlin Returns, Lafferty Available Against Leafs

Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed that team captain Rasmus Dahlin will return to the lineup against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday. Dahlin has missed seven games since not returning for the third period of the 5-4 loss to Colorado on December 3.

In his absence, the Sabres have gone 0-5-2 and have fallen into last place in the Eastern Conference. Ruff indicated that with games against the Leafs and in Boston on Saturday, the club has a plan in place in consideration of playing on back-to-back nights, which could mean limiting Dahlin’s ice time in both games or easing him back into the lineup by playing him against Toronto and resting him on Saturday at TD Garden.

Center Ryan McLeod took part in the optional morning skate at KeyBank Center, but it will be a game-time decision. Forward Sam Lafferty is available, but his place in the lineup may depend on McLeod’s status.

The goaltending situation may be similar to last weekend, with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen starting the first of games on consecutive nights and Devon Levi being called up. Luukkonen will be the starter against the Leafs, but Ruff did not rule out the possibility of a call-up for the match against the Bruins.

“It would be an option, but we haven't really discussed that as of now,” Ruff said.

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