The Buffalo Sabres got Noah Ostlund back for Game 3 and Game 4 of the series against the Boston Bruins, but his return appears to be short-lived. On Tuesday night in Game 5, Ostlund suffered an injury in the first period that forced him back to the locker room.
He did return briefly to the ice but didn't last long and returned to the locker room with the Sabres ruling him out for the game with a lower-body injury.
Ostlund was having an excellent rookie season before suffering an injury at the end of March. He was out for the remainder of the regular season and missed the first two games of the series against the Bruins.
However, he returned in Game 3 and made his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut with a goal and an assist as the Sabres would win 3-1. In Game 4, he didn't have any points but still made an impact with a +/- of +1 and the coaching staff expanded his role by moving him up to the top power play unit.
Buffalo Sabres are left shuffling their lines with Noah Ostlund out for the remainder of the game
The Buffalo Sabres are now forced to finish the rest of the game with one less forward, and head coach Lindy Ruff will have to shuffle the lines. According to Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News, the Sabres have Tyson Kozak at center in place of Ostlund on the line with Josh Doan and Zach Benson.
On the fourth line, the Sabres have Ryan McLeod working with Jordan Greenway and Beck Malenstyn. For the power play, the Sabres moved Ryan McLeod to take faceoffs in place of Ostlund and had Owen Power on the top unit, according to Matthew Fairburn.
It remains to be seen how long Ostlund might be out, but Josh Norris, who missed Game 3 and Game 4, appears close to returning and could step back in for Ostlund if he misses extended time.
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