The game will mark Bogosian's first regular-season appearance since Jan. 9. Last season ended for him after just 17 games when he opted to have surgery on his hip, an attempt to put an injury that had plagued him for multiple seasons in the past.
When he has been healthy, Bogosian's skillset has been a natural fit in Housley's system, which requires activity from defensemen on the rush and in the offensive zone.
"Before he got injured - I'm going to go back a year - he was a very powerful skater and a powerful player, along with all of the other intangibles he brings as far as being a team leader and trying to foster our young guys," Housley said.
"… Having that in our lineup is going to be great. I'm just happy for him. He's battled through a lot of hard situations."
Bogosian will play on a pair with Nathan Beaulieu, while Casey Nelson is expected to be scratched.
Bogosian and Beaulieu have a close relationship off the ice, dating back to when Beaulieu was acquired from Montreal prior to last season. Bogosian was the first person to call Beaulieu and welcome him to the team, spawing a friendship that grew as the season progressed.
The two defensemen have tried to make that chemistry translate on the ice. They opened camp each of the past two seasons as defensive partners, only for injuries to get in the way.
"We've kind of been trying to play together now for the last couple years," Beaulieu said. "With injuries to both of us, it's been tough. We knew this year we were going to get a shot together at some point. Obviously, him going down early sucked, but now the opportunity's here. We've just got to take advantage of it."
Coverage on MSG-B begins at 9:30 p.m. with the GMC Game Night Pregame Show, or you can listen to the game live on WGR 550. The puck drops at 10.
UPDATE (5:04 p.m. ET) -The Sabres have activated Bogosian from injured reserve and have assigned defenseman Matt Tennyson to the Rochester Americans (AHL).
