BUFFALO – With no fourth-line center on the roster, the Sabres recalled Cal O’Reilly this morning prior to their tilt against the Dallas Stars.
Sabres winger Tyler Ennis will also return after missing 30 games following groin surgery, so 13 forwards will take the pregame warm-up, coach Dan Bylsma said.
Update: Winger Nick Deslauriers is the odd man out.
Ennis hasn’t played since Nov. 7.
O’Reilly, 30, has eight goals and 34 points in 34 AHL games with the Amerks this season. He played four NHL games earlier this season, scoring the shootout winner in the Sabres’ 2-1 win Nov. 19 against Pittsburgh.
“A guy who can step in and play up and down the lineup, can play the power play, solid centerman in the middle of the ice, can take draws,” Bylsma said of O’Reilly. “It’s good to have.”
In other news, goalie Robin Lehner, sidelined the last three games with the flu, will start.