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Lightning rookie Sam O’Reilly in line for NHL debut in Buffalo

Tampa Bay recalled the centre from Syracuse ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Sabres.

File photo: Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brayden Point carries the puck into the Winnipeg Jets zone
Terrence Lee-Imagn Images

Sam O’Reilly is expected to make his NHL debut Wednesday when the Tampa Bay Lightning visit the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET.

Tampa Bay recalled O’Reilly from the Syracuse Crunch on Tuesday after he recorded two goals and two assists in 12 AHL games. He was a first-round pick in 2024 and joined the Lightning organization in a July 2025 trade with the Edmonton Oilers.

Brayden Point will miss the game after leaving Sunday’s loss to Winnipeg. Tampa Bay placed him on injured reserve on Tuesday.

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Topicsnhlbuffalo sabrestampa bay lightningnhl debutsam o’reillybrayden point
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