Breaking: Huge news for Ristolainen!

The Buffalo Sabres take on the Edmonton Oilers tonight and they'll likely do so with a much-needed reinforcement on the back end.

We await official confirmation that he will play tonight, but based on the line rushes at morning skate, it seems all but set.

Ristolainen has been out since November 4th with an upper-body injury. Not too long ago, his status was downgraded from day-to-day to week-to-week, so his presence in the lineup today is very encouraging.

Ristolainen has 5 assists in 13 games this season. Certainly not the kind of output they expect from their star defenseman - hopefully he turns things around on fresh legs.

Here's the expected lineup for tonight's match.