TORONTO -- Matt Ellis, who played 117 games for the Sabres over the previous two seasons, is up for his first of this year. The Sabres have recalled the center from Portland to replace injured right wing Drew Stafford, who is expected to miss a good amount of time with an upper-body injury suffered Friday.
Ellis, who was named the captain of the Pirates, has three goals and 13 points in 13 games with Portland. He had those identical numbers in 72 games with Buffalo last year.
Luke Adam leads the Pirates in scoring and has been called up twice so far, but coach Lindy Ruff said the Sabres went with Ellis because Adam has fatigue in his game after shuttling back and forth between the big club and the minor-league affiliate.
---John Vogl
