Read more about his path to the NHL here.
Interim head coach Don Granato said the team plans to dress seven defensemen for the third straight game. Ruotsalainen will step into at forward in place of Steven Fogarty.
The Sabres are looking to rebound from a 6-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils at home on Thursday. They will see the East Division's top four teams (Boston, the New York Islanders, Pittsburgh, and Washington) 14 times from tonight until the end of the season.
"We haven't had any success against the top teams in the division," Granato said. "That's easily documented in the win and loss column. So, we have to challenge ourselves to become better. These games are a playoff series. I spoke to the players this morning about, 'You want to know what the playoffs are like? This is what they're like.'
"… These teams hold you accountable. The sport of hockey holds you accountable. If you don't take away time and space, they're going to make a good play on you. Anybody is. So, the best teams in the league hold you accountable to executing more proficiently. And that's the challenge."