Buffalo Sabres defensemen Brendan Guhle and Matt Hunwick will make their season debuts in this afternoon’s tilt against the Bruins, coach Phil Housley told reporters in Boston.
With defenseman Nathan Beaulieu day-to-day with an upper-body injury, according to Housley, the Sabres recalled Guhle, 21, from the Rochester Americans this afternoon.
To make room, the Sabres placed defenseman Lawrence Pilut (lower body) on injured reserve.
Hunwick, meanwhile, just completed an AHL conditioning stint after suffering a neck injury training during the offseason. The veteran hasn’t played an NHL game since April 1 with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Housley said defenseman Matt Tennyson will be scratched.
Guhle played the last two nights but was yanked out Saturday’s 2-1 road win against the Cleveland Monsters.
In his second pro season, the prospect has compiled three goals, 13 points and minus-4 rating in 25 games with the Amerks.
“Last year, he was really attacking the game and using his speed,” Housley said of Guhle. “I think he got a little bit away from that. It’s more or less trying to find his identity as a player. I think he’s found that in the last 10 games.”