Sabres’ Josh Norris to miss Game 3 against Bruins
The Buffalo Sabres won’t be at full strength for their first road game of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
According to Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff, forward Josh Norris will not be available for Thursday’s Game 3 against the Boston Bruins, and is considered day-to-day.
Coach Lindy Ruff said Josh Norris is "not available for tonight" and is considered day-to-day.
The nature of Norris’ injury is currently undisclosed. Though he played just over 16 and a half minuted in Tuesday’s Game 2, his injury may be related to when he tripped over Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy and tumbled head first into the endboards in last Sunday’s Game 1. On the play, Norris appeared shaken, getting up slowly and ultimately staying in the game.
Josh Norris takes a headfirst tumble into the boards and was slow to get up. He did stay out but that was a little scary #LetsGoBuffalo #NHLBruins
Norris, 26, has gone scoreless over the first two games of the Sabres’ first-round series against the Bruins. In 44 games played this regular season, the Oxford, Michigan native had 13 goals and 21 assists for 34 points.
Buffalo acquired Norris, along with defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker, from the Ottawa Senators at last season’s trade deadline in exchange for forward Dylan Cozens, defenseman Dennis Gilbert, and a second-round draft pick. He only had a goal and an assist in three games for the Sabres last season following the trade, as he was forced to miss 18 games with an oblique injury stemming from his time with the Senators.
Initially selected 19th overall by Ottawa in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Norris spent four-plus season with the Senators, including a career-best campaign of 35 goals and 20 assists for 55 points over 66 games in the 2021-22 season. Ottawa failed to reach the postseason during Norris’ time there, so this is his first playoff opportunity.
With Norris out of their lineup on Thursday, the Sabres could potentially tap forward Tyson Kozak to step in as his replacement.
After Thursday’s game, Buffalo will stay in Boston for Game 4 of the series, currently tied 1-1, on Sunday.