Lindy Ruff faces tricky Josh Norris decision as Sabres try to eliminate Bruins

Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff announced some encouraging injury news on Monday, less than 24 hours after his team demolished the Boston Bruins, 6-1, in Game 4 of the teams' first-round series in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Ruff confirmed winger Jason Zucker and center Tyson Kozak, who both exited Sunday's game with injuries, are listed as probable for Game 5 on Tuesday night.

The longtime NHL coach also noted center Josh Norris, who missed the past two contests, would take part in Monday's practice and could return as the Sabres, who own a commanding 3-1 series lead, attempt to close out the Bruins.

"Norris is going to skate," Ruff told reporters. "He could be available."

Noah Ostlund, who returned from his own injury to take Norris' spot in the lineup, has been far too impactful for Buffalo to head back to the press box. It leaves questions about not only which 18 skaters will take the ice in Game 5, but also how the club's lines will look.

It's unlikely the Sabres will want to shake things up too much given their success on Sunday.

Could Sabres' Josh Norris be relegated to a lesser lineup role in potential Game 5 return vs. Bruins?

Ruff is an old-school coach. If his team has been winning, he typically waits until a loss before altering his lineup or juggling the lines.

That factor, combined with Norris' extensive injury history, means it wouldn't be a surprise if the Sabres keep the 26-year-old centerman sidelined for one more game.

If the Sabres win, he'll receive a handful of extra days to ensure he's fully recovered from the undisclosed injury before the second round. If the Sabres lose, Ruff will feel more comfortable finding a way to insert him back in the lineup.

That said, Norris is a potential high-impact contributor when playing his best hockey, so Buffalo's staff may decide it's best to get him back on the ice right away for Game 5.

If so, Ruff and Co. will have to figure out whether to adjust the top-nine forward group or take a possibly unconventional route.

Here's an option to get Norris on a scoring line:

Or, if the Sabres want to keep the upper portion of the lineup stabilized, they could get creative:

Norris may have never skated on a fourth line in his life but, given the offense's success in Game 4 and the limited involvement of Kozak and Josh Dunne, it should be a consideration.

It'd also give Ruff some extra flexibility. If the Sabres are winning the game comfortably, he can attempt to limit Norris' shifts in his first game back from injury. If the Blue and Gold are losing and need an offensive spark, he could easily move the Michigan native up the lineup.

Buffalo has struggled to fill that fourth-line center spot since Sam Carrick went down injured in late March. Peyton Krebs seemed like the logical solution once the team reached full strength, but he's been playing far too well on the first line to get relegated back toward the bottom of the lineup.

Norris probably wouldn't remain in that role for the remainder of the playoffs — ideally, the Sabres will have some time off before Round 2 to reset their lines, but the Bruins aren't going to do down without a fight — but putting him there for a game or two makes a lot of sense.

Looking ahead, if Buffalo advances far enough for Carrick to return, this is how its forward group would most likely look:

That's one of the deepest line sets in the league, and would give the Sabres a legitimate chance to make a serious push toward a Stanley Cup title.

First things first, however, Buffalo needs to remain laser-focused as it prepares to face a hungry and desperate Boston squad in Game 5 on Tuesday night.

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