Ristolainen was acquired from the Sabres this offseason but his Flyers debut will have to wait, as he's sidelined by an upper-body injury. With Ristolainen sidelined, Nick Seeler will skate on the third pairing next to Keith Yandle.
Ristolainen's game appears to be heading in the wrong direction but the Flyers must not think so. They have given up a considerable amount of assets to have Ristolainen replace Shayne Gostisbehere in 2021-22. After four-straight seasons of 40-plus points from 2016-to-2019, Ristolainen has averaged seven goals and 29 assists (36 points) per 82 games over the last two years. He remains big and tough to play against and will undoubtedly be a part of the Flyers top-4 with either Ivan Provorov or Travis Sanheim.
Ristolainen has been out since January 31st after testing positive for COVID-19 but is back in game shape and set to play Saturday vs. the Flyers. Expect him to play on the top power-play unit, as he was before he got sick.
Ristolainen missed the last four games with an illness but will play on Tuesday. Ristolainen will be back on a pairing with Rasmus Dahlin and enters the game with 39 points (5G / 34A) in 75 games but has the worst plus-minus in the entire league (-42).
Ristolainen, who has had a slow start to the season, was not on the ice this morning and will not be in the lineup tonight in Dallas. With Ristolainen out, Taylor Fedun will be back in the lineup and Viktor Antipin will play on the top PP unit.
Ristolainen, 21, is coming off of a great sophomore season in which he tallied nine goals and 32 assists (41 points) in 82 games. Ristolainen led all Sabres players in ice-time last year as well, eating up a monstrous 25:16 per night, which ranked 10th in the NHL. Ristolianen’s possession numbers leave the Sabres wanting more, but as a 21-year-old defenseman, he is just scratching the surface of what he can become.
Ristolainen missed the start of camp because of an upper-body injury, but participated in practice on Monday and will play on Tuesday. The 20-year-old blueliner had 20 points (8G / 12A) in 78 games with the Sabres last year. He will be a key member of Buffalo’s backend this season and for many years to come.
Ristolainen was held out of Wednesday’s game with an illness, but he is expected to be available for Friday’s contest vs. the Blackhawks. Ristolainen has three goals and one assist in his last three games.
The Sabres will sit Ristolainen tonight vs. the Red Wings and he will be replaced by Andrej Meszaros. Ristolainen has one assist and a minus-5 rating in his last eight games.
Ristolainen was back paired with his usual partner Nikita Zadorov last night vs. the Panthers. He played 19:07 TOI and registered one shot in the 2-0 loss. The Sabres are back in action tonight in New York.
Ristolainen took part in the Sabres morning skate, but will miss his second straight game with the flu. Look for him to be back on Friday vs. Florida.
Ristolainen was left back in Buffalo so he will not be in the lineup tonight. He is listed as day-to-day.
There is an illness making its way around the Sabres locker room and it took Ristolainen victim last night. He is considered day-to-day.
