Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel will make his season debut at the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET; MSG-B, RDS2, TSN5, NHL.TV).
Eichel, who has been out because of a high ankle sprain sustained during practice Oct. 12, centered Evander Kane and Sam Reinhart and was also working the top power-play unit during Buffalo’s morning skate on Tuesday. Eichel and coach Dan Bylsma confirmed after the morning skate that the second-year center will play.
“I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been waiting for a while, so it will be nice to play a game,” Eichel said. “It feels like it’s been a while. What has it been, 21, 22 games? It’s been a while. Just excited to get back into the game action and play instead of watch.”
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Without Eichel, the No. 2 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, the Sabres went 7-9-5 and are in last place in the Atlantic Division with 19 points. Buffalo ranks 30th in goals scored with 38. Getting Eichel back will make the entire lineup that much stronger, Bylsma said.
“I think there’s a big point of anticipation having him back. The injury came to Jack right at the cusp of the start of the season, a tough injury, and he was out for a considerable amount of time. Now you have that anticipation of having him back in your lineup,” Bylsma said. “… it makes a lot of other people fit better in our lineup. Not just from his linemates, Sam and Evander, but throughout our lineup. We’ve had the feeling the last two days in practice.”
Eichel, who scored 24 goals in his rookie season, said he will be comfortable on the ice because he no longer has to think about his ankle.
“It’s where I’ve tried to get to on the ice in practice and that, not thinking about it, just going out there and playing,” Eichel said. “Obviously it’s there. I know my ankle is there. You just don’t want any restrictions. You want be out there playing your game for the most part and not worry about it. That’s the point I wanted to get to and that’s where I am now, so that’s why I’m going to play.”
