Josh Norris Makes Impact in Highly Anticipated Return

Photo Credit: Buffalo Sabres Multimedia Photo Galleries

After weeks on the sidelines, forward Josh Norris rejoined the Sabres lineup Monday night as Buffalo faced off against the Winnipeg Jets.

An upper-body injury sustained during October’s season opener had kept Norris out long-term, and after an impressive preseason, fans were eager to see what he could add to a franchise hoping to end its 14-year playoff drought. However, frustration regarding another injury was understandable as Norris had appeared in just four games since arriving at the trade deadline in the deal that sent Dylan Cozens to Ottawa.

Though his return came earlier than the pre-Christmas timeline initially projected, Norris wasted no time making his presence felt.

Early in the contest, he drew a penalty that put Buffalo on the power play. During the man advantage, his shot toward the net was tipped by Josh Doan before Jason Zucker buried the rebound, earning Norris his first helper of the campaign. Later in the opening frame, with the Sabres holding a 2-0 advantage, Norris collected the puck beside the crease and tucked a backhand past goaltender Eric Cormie for his second point and opening goal of the season.

Though his third-period tally was the highlight of the night, using his skating ability to separate from Winnipeg's top defensive tandem of Josh Morrissey and Dylan DeMelo, Norris capped the sequence with a slick forehand-to-backhand finish that brought the KeyBank Center crowd to its feet for the fifth time that evening.

In his follow-up appearance against Philadelphia, he recorded another assist on the game's opening marker for four points (2G, 2A) in his first two complete games of the season.

While the Flyers game didn’t go Buffalo’s way, Norris’s season debut stood out as one of the team’s most complete performances, offering a glimpse of what the Sabres could look like with a healthy roster.

Injuries and illnesses have taken a toll all season, and although the team remains at the bottom of the Atlantic Division, the return of key players heading into the Christmas break could provide some much-needed momentum.