Dahlin returning vs. Maple Leafs after 7-game absence

Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin will play Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs after missing seven games because of back spasms, head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed to Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News.

Dahlin lined up on the top defensive pairing alongside Bowen Byram and took reps with the first power-play unit at practice.

The Sabres hope Dahlin's return can spark a return to the win column as the club has lost its past 11 games. Dahlin logged 19 points in 25 games while averaging nearly 25 minutes per contest before being injured.

Along with Dahlin's return, Ruff announced forward Jordan Greenway will miss "significant time" after surgery on his mid-body injury. The recovery isn't believed to be season-ending.