Ristolainen picked up two power-play assists in Sunday's 4-3 shootout win over the Capitals.

EDGE Analysis

The two teams combined for five power-play goals on the afternoon, leading Ristolainen to his first helpers of the season to go along with one even-strength goal through six games. The 26-year-old will have a hard time returning to the 40-point plateau in the shortened campaign, but he should still put together a productive season.

GM Jason Botterill's firing this week may be a good sign for Ristolainen, a favorite of coach Ralph Krueger, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News surmises.

EDGE Analysis

The Sabres had a huge shakeup this week with Botterill and a slew of other personnel sent out the door, so it looks like Krueger and Jack Eichel will be having plenty of input with new GM Kevyn Adams in terms of what the team will look like going forward. One of the games Sabres fans are forced to play each playoff-less offseason -- besides trying to guess the next GM or coach -- is to guess the fate of Ristolainen, who always seems to get mentioned in trade talks. But he's also the team's second-best defenseman after Rasmus Dahlin and fits Krueger's preferred style of play, so perhaps with the major shakeup, Risto may get a quick vote of confidence as the team sets its sights on the 2020-21 season.

Ristolainen scored a goal on four shots and had two PIM Tuesday in a 3-1 loss to Winnipeg.

EDGE Analysis

Ristolainen tallied the lone Sabres goal midway through the third period when he came off the end boards and surprised Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck with shot from between the goal line and the bottom of the faceoff circle. It was the sixth goal of the season for Ristolainen but his first since Jan. 12. Despite the goal slump, he's provided a solid 32 points in 66 games.

Ristolainen, thought to be a trade candidate, was not dealt by the Sabres as the deadline passed Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Risto, a good scorer who's historically put up nauseating plus/minus ratings, has adapted well to new coach Ralph Krueger's system, and at plus-3 the defenseman could put up his first-ever positive rating. While he offered Cup candidates a scoring presence from the blue line at a reasonable salary, in the end he'll stay with the Sabres as they try to make a late playoff push.

Ristolainen picked up two power-play assists in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Penguins.

EDGE Analysis

He helped set up both of Jack Eichel's strikes, including the eventual game-winner in the first period. Ristolainen has a four-game point streak going during which he has six points (all assists), and he remains on pace for his fifth straight 40-point campaign with five goals and 31 points through 61 games.

Ristolainen had two assists, including on the power play, and five hits in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Maple Leafs.

EDGE Analysis

The Finn had a hand in goals by Jack Eichel and Jimmy Vesey in a span of 1:31 during the third period. Ristolainen has posted five assists and 23 hits over eight games in February. For the season, the 25-year-old has 28 points, 176 hits and 108 shots on goal in 59 outings. Right now, he's on pace to miss the 40-point mark for the first time since 2014-15, but the blueliner is capable of making up that ground.

Coach Ralph Krueger said Ristolainen missed practice Wednesday but that it was for "maintenance," Lance Lyskowski of The Buffalo News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ristolainen was a huge trade candidate this past summer, but things have calmed down on that front, as he seems to enjoy playing for his new coach. While the blueliner is averaging a modest 22:34 per game this season -- his lowest total ice time since 2014-15 -- and at 23 points he's going to have to put together a hot streak to achieve his fifth straight 40-point season, Risto sits a respectable even plus/minus, far better than the minus-41 and minus-25 he put up the last two campaigns.

Ristolainen produced an assist, three shots on goal and three hits in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Stars.

EDGE Analysis

Ristolainen collected his assist on Michael Frolik's shorthanded, empty-net goal. The 25-year-old Finn is on a modest four-game point streak with a goal and three helpers in that span. He's been productive across categories this season with 23 points, 143 hits, 94 shots and 36 PIM in 48 contests. Ristolainen has landed between 41 and 45 points in each of the last four campaigns, and he's shaping up for similar production in 2019-20.

Ristolainen scored a power-play goal on two shots and added a pair of hits in Sunday's 5-1 victory over the Red Wings.

EDGE Analysis

Ristolainen closed out the scoring on the man advantage early in the third period, picking up his fifth goal of the season. It was only his third point on the power play all year after having collected 16 or more in each of the last four seasons. Despite the drop-off in that area, he can still push for a fifth straight 40-point season. He currently sits on 21 points in 46 games.

Ristolainen had a goal and an assist with four shots and three hits in Sunday's 3-2 loss to Boston.

EDGE Analysis

Ristolainen scored his fourth goal of the season to get the Sabres on the board in the second period, then set up Curtis Lazar's goal early in the third. Ristolainen has 18 points in 40 games this season and his plus-5 rating is certainly easier on the eyes than the minus-41 he logged a year ago.