Matt Moulson (26) chases Pittsburgh’s Kris Letang on Oct. 29. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Matt Moulson to skate on fourth line

BUFFALO – Struggling Sabres winger Matt Moulson, who hasn’t scored a goal in 21 straight games, will skate on the fourth line this afternoon against the Chicago Blackhawks, coach Dan Bylsma said.

“He’s down on the fourth line,” Bylsma said inside the First Niagara Center. “That doesn’t really change what we need to see from him, what he needs to bring.”

Moulson, 32, needs to score goals. He has only four in 32 games. He hasn’t scored since Nov. 1. Remember, he’s in the second season of a five-year, $25 million contract.

Moulson has missed some scoring chances in front, where he’s at his best, the last two or three games on the power play, Bylsma said.

“Not as much five-on-five,” Bylsma said. “And a big part of that is being able to bring the puck up the ice and get out of the defensive zone with it. That’s really an area where he’s got to improve, because if you can’t get it up the ice, you’re not going to get where he is good.”

Bylsma said Moulson might also sub on the right wing for Tyler Ennis beside center Jack Eichel and Evander Kane. Bylsma wants to watch how much he plays Ennis, who’s returning after an upper-body injury sidelined him 12 games.

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