The Sabres played without Ryan O’Reilly for the first time this season today. They are going to have to get used to life without one of their main leaders, as Dan Bylsma told reporters after the game that O’Reilly will miss the next three to four weeks with a lower-body injury he suffered against Columbus.
Bylsma did not rule out the possibility of O’Reilly returning this season. If he misses the full four weeks, the Sabres will have nine games left on their schedule.
Justin Bailey was recalled to take O’Reilly’s place in the lineup this afternoon and will likely travel with the team on their three-game west coast swing. Sam Reinhart started as the team’s top-line center, in between Evander Kane and Bailey.