Eichel returns to lineup against Blackhawks

Jack Eichel will be back in the lineup for the Buffalo Sabres when they host the Chicago Blackhawks at KeyBank Center on Saturday afternoon. Eichel has missed the past 15 games due to a right high-ankle sprain that he sustained in Boston on Feb. 10.
Eichel has been skating with the team since Tuesday, a span that included three full practices and a morning skate.
"Talking to our doctors and trainers, his practice, the way he progressed all week, he checked all the boxes off," Sabres coach Phil Housley said. "He's ready to play, he wants to play, he wants to get back in the lineup, so we feel that we're comfortable putting him back in."

Despite his long absence, Eichel leads the Sabres with 22 goals and 53 points this season. He had scored 34 points (15+19) in 29 games since the beginning of December prior to sustaining his injury.
Eichel dealt with the same injury in his left ankle last season, causing him to miss the first 21 games. He scored a goal and an assist in his return, followed by a two-goal performance in his second game back.
"The skill, that sort of thing, comes back pretty quickly," Eichel said after practice on Friday. "I think, obviously, like reads and having the game come to you, I think takes a little longer. But, I mean, I think that's something you expect with an injury like this, going through it last year it's a good experience for me, this rehab process. It's not something you want to rush through and set yourself back."
Eichel will enter the lineup in place of Jacob Josefson, who is week-to-week with a lower-body injury. The Sabres announced on Monday that defenseman Casey Nelson is day-to-day, also with a lower-body injury, although Housley said he expects Nelson to be ready to play against Nashville on Monday. Justin Falk will replace Nelson on defense.
Chad Johnson will start in net for the Sabres, while Linus Ullmark will serve as his backup.

The Blackhawks have had an uncharacteristic season, with their streak of nine-straight playoff appearances about to come to an end. That said, they still boast their usual offensive threats in forwards Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.
"They're a deadly transitional team," Housley said. "We have to know, even when we're in the offensive zone, that any possession change they're going to try to stretch the ice on us. Our D are going to have to keep everybody in front of them.
"They're a great rush team, number one team off the rush in shots, so our guys coming back into our zone have to pick up players."
Coverage on MSG-B begins at 12:30 p.m., or you can listen live on WGR 550. Puck drop is scheduled for a 1.