Bo Horvat is ready for his return to the ice.
The New York Islanders centre is set to return to the lineup on Saturday against Buffalo after missing nine games, head coach Patrick Roy announced Friday.
"Oh my god, it's so nice to have him back," said Roy, whose Islanders went 5-3-1 without Horvat in the lineup. "The guys did a really nice job while he wasn't playing, but he's our top goal scorer."
Horvat went down with a lower-body injury on Jan. 1 against the Utah Mammoth, a day after being named to Team Canada's Olympic roster.
"Getting some games in before I head to Milan is super important, not only for me, but for the team," said Horvat. "I'm just really excited to be back.
The 30-year-old has 21 goals and 12 assists in 36 games this season. Now in his fourth season in New York, Horvat has 290 goals and 304 assists in 849 career games between the Islanders and Vancouver Canucks.
The Islanders (27-18-5) and Sabres (28-17-5) square off Saturday, both looking to maintain Eastern Conference playoff spots. You can catch the game on Sportsnet at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT.
