Ristolainen picked up two assists while adding six hits and three blocks shots in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Capitals.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old made an impact all over the ice and helped set up Buffalo's final two goals, but he wasn't able to will the club to a better result, Ristolainen has two multi-point performances in his last six games, but on the season he's managed only four goals and 13 points through 33 contests.

Ristolainen put up two assists, four blocked shots and six hits in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Flyers.

EDGE Analysis

Ristolainen was instrumental in helping the Sabres end their brutal 18-game losing skid, putting it all on the line from both ends of the ice and asserting himself physically. The veteran blueliner didn't mark the scoresheet much at all during the team's slump, but he was in vintage form Wednesday.

Ristolainen has been held off the scoresheet in the past nine games.

EDGE Analysis

After scoring points in back-to-back contests at the start of March, Ristolainen has been unable to provide any offense. He has three goals and five assists in 23 appearances this season. He scored 40 or more points in four consecutive seasons, followed by 33 points last year. All told, Ristolainen's fantasy output is at its lowest point since 2015-16.

Ristolainen (not injury related) will play in Saturday's game versus the Flyers, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ristolainen is back in action after missing the last seven games due to a stint in the NHL's COVID-19 protocol and the subsequent conditioning required afterward. The 26-year-old averaged 23:34 of ice time per game, recording six points through 10 contests, prior to his absence. He's expected to play in the top four once again.

Although he's not quite 100 percent yet, Ristolainen (not injury related) told reporters Thursday he "feels really close and really good," Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

EDGE Analysis

This is encouraging news, as coach Ralph Krueger recently said he was hopeful Ristolainen would be ready to play "in a few weeks." It sounds like Ristolainen should be back sooner than that, but it's hard to pinpoint a definite timeline for the 26-year-old Finn, who is still working on ramping up his conditioning after being sidelined due to the NHL's COVID-19 protocols. The 2013 first-round pick picked up six points through the first 10 games of the campaign before landing on the protocols list.

Coach Ralph Krueger is hopeful Ristolainen (not injury related) will be ready to play "in a few weeks," Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ristolainen was removed from the NHL's COVID-19 protocols list Tuesday, but it's evidently going to take some time for the Finnish blueliner to ramp up his conditioning. He's picked up six points through 10 games this campaign.

Ristolainen (not injury related) isn't with the Sabres for the start of their four-game road trip, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ristolainen may join the Sabres at some point during the team's four-game road trip, but he'll miss Thursday's game against Washington at a minimum as he works on ramping up his conditioning after being sidelined for two weeks due to the NHL's COVID-19 protocols. Another update on the blueliner's status should surface if and when he joins his teammates on the road.

Ristolainen has been removed from the NHL's COVID-19 protocols list, Matt Porter of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ristolainen hasn't practiced in two weeks due to the NHL's virus protocols, so he probably won't immediately rejoin the lineup Tuesday against the Islanders. Thursday against Washington, however, remains a distinct possibility. The 26-year-old blueliner has picked up six points through 10 games this campaign.

Ristolainen been placed on the NHL's COVID-19 protocols list, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Sabres' next four games have been postponed, so there's a chance Ristolainen won't be forced to miss any action despite surfacing on the protocols list Tuesday. The 26-year-old blueliner has picked up six points through 10 contests this campaign.

Ristolainen scored a power-play goal and added an even-strength assist in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Devils.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old blueliner is on something of a roll, scoring a goal and five points over the last five games, with all but Sunday's helper coming with the man advantage. Ristolainen has a history of strong power-play numbers, racking up more than 20 PP points in three straight seasons from 2015-16 through 2017-18, and the offseason addition of Taylor Hall and further maturation from Rasmus Dahlin has only made the Sabres' top unit more dangerous.