James Nichols
Joshua Norris can’t catch a break. The Buffalo Sabres will be without the key center for Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins on Thursday night.
Head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed that Norris is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury after not feeling right following Game 2. The 26-year-old veteran did not appear to suffer a major hit in the previous contest, but the ailment has sidelined him for at least one game.
It’s certainly a significant short-term blow for Buffalo—especially after falling to the Bruins in Game 2 which allowed Boston to even the series 1-1.
Norris, in his first-ever playoff action, had been a reliable contributor through the opening two games. He averaged over 16 minutes of ice time, recorded six hits, won 53.1% of his faceoffs, and helped the Sabres control 61.1% of shot attempts at 5-on-5 with him on the ice.
During the regular season, he posted 34 points in 44 games despite missing time with upper-body issues, providing valuable secondary scoring and depth from the third-line role.
Fortunately, the Sabres are getting a timely boost with the return of rookie Noah Ostlund. Morning line rushes showed the 2022 first-round pick slotting directly into Norris’ spot as the third-line center, flanked likely by familiar wingers.
Ostlund—set to make his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut—had been sidelined since March 25 with an upper-body injury suffered against Boston—nearly a month on the shelf—but looked ready to contribute after a solid rookie campaign that saw him tally 11 goals and 27 points in 60 games.
While Ostlund brings skill, hockey sense, and two-way potential, there are some concerns. Primarily deployed on the wing during the season, he struggled on faceoffs (31.5% win rate) and is a smaller, less physical player (5’11”, 180 lbs) in what has been a bruising series. Buffalo has already thrown 83 hits through two games, highlighting the physical toll.
The Sabres would ideally prefer both players healthy, but Ostlund’s insertion provides depth and youth as they try to bounce back in the series. Game 3 in Boston could hinge on how effectively the third line performs without Norris’ experience and how Ostlund handles the elevated responsibility in a high-stakes environment.
