Jack Eichel celebrates one of his two goals Thursday. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Jack Eichel OK after ankle tweak

BUFFALO – Relax, Sabres fans. Center Jack Eichel, who tweaked his left ankle in Monday’s 3-2 overtime loss in Washington, will play tonight against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers.

“Going through an injury like this, you know it’s going to come back,” Eichel told a crowd of reporters this morning inside KeyBank Center.

High ankle sprains are notoriously tough injuries to overcome. Eichel dazzled early in his return, scoring three goals and four points in his first two outings.

Eichel finally felt his ankle when the Capitals’ Dmitry Orlov hit him in the second period Monday, his fourth game. The second-year star grimaced in pain on the bench, although he finished the contest.

“It’s the first time he’s had any incident on the ice where he did feel the ankle,” Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said.

In other news, Sabres goalie Anders Nilsson, who played for Edmonton part of last season, will start tonight, the backup’s eighth start.

Check back later for more on the second NHL meeting between Eichel and McDavid, the top two picks in the 2015 NHL Draft.

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