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Jake McCabe is ready to go.
The defenseman was a full participant at practice on Wednesday, back on a pair with Rasmus Ristolainen after being scratched for the Sabres' game against Calgary on Tuesday with an upper-body injury. He said he expects to be ready to play in Ottawa on Thursday.
"[I'm feeling] much better," McCabe said. "Ready to go, for sure."

McCabe sustained his injury during the team's game in Columbus on Saturday, limiting his second-period ice time to 3:23 before he returned to skate 7:15 in the third. He had skated 20-plus minutes in each of his three games prior, including a season-high 23:04 against Montreal last Thursday.
With that opportunity came production. He's scored at least a point in five of his last six games, with a goal and six assists over that span. His average of .64 points per game is triple his career average coming into this season (.22).
"You're more involved with the game," McCabe said of the uptick in ice time. "Every game brings on a different scenario, whether it's penalty kills, power plays, and each guy has their roles. But bottom line, the more you get out there, you're feeling the puck a little bit more, you're just more engaged out there."
McCabe was also an instrumental part of a penalty kill that is 12-for-12 in its last four games, averaging 2:10 of shorthanded ice time per outing.
"I think we're working in unison of four and guys are blocking shots," he said. "We're pressuring in the right areas and our goaltenders are making huge save after huge save. And we're not giving up a ton of second opportunities if they do have a good chance in front. I think we're doing a good job of clearing sticks and not allowing that second opportunity."

The Sabres were 5-for-5 on the penalty kill against Calgary in McCabe's absence, with Johan Larsson clocking in at 6:44 of shorthanded ice time.
"I think we work really well as a unit out there and we're well-prepared," Larsson said. "We've got key blocks and key saves at the right moments."
Coverage of Buffalo's game in Ottawa on Thursday begins at 7 p.m. on MSG-B with the GMC Game Night Pregame Show. You can also listen live on WGR 550. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30.

Wednesday's practice

Phil Housley after Wednesday's practice

The Sabres finished the month of October with a 6-4-2 record, marking their best opening month since 2011-12 (6-4-0) and their best full month since March 2016 (7-4-4). They're currently on a five-game point streak for the first time since earning points in nine straight contests in March 2012.
At the same time, they've lost their last two games in overtime, prompting coach Phil Housley to make changes at practice on Wednesday.
"If you asked me if we were 6-4-2 after the month of October, we'd be pretty happy with that and where we sit right now. In saying that, you always want more," Housley said. "… If you're asking me if I had to evaluate October, we've met our expectations. Moving forward, we can't rest on our laurels."
With McCabe back, Nathan Beaulieu skated on an extra defense pair alongside forward Tage Thompson. Remi Elie replaced Thompson up front, skating on a line with Casey Mittelstadt and Sam Reinhart. Elie has been a healthy scratch for the team's last five games.
"He's sitting out, he's fresh," Housley said. "He's going to bring some tenacity and physicality on the forecheck, his speed of the game is going to be important. … He's going to get an opportunity."
Here's how the Sabres lined up in full on Wednesday:
53 Jeff Skinner - 9 Jack Eichel - 29 Jason Pominville
43 Conor Sheary - 17 Vladimir Sobotka - 21 Kyle Okposo
81 Remi Elie / 71 Evan Rodrigues - 37 Casey Mittelstadt - 23 Sam Reinhart
10 Patrik Berglund - 22 Johan Larsson - 28 Zemgus Girgensons
19 Jake McCabe - 55 Rasmus Ristolainen
6 Marco Scandella - 4 Zach Bogosian
26 Rasmus Dahlin - 8 Casey Nelson
82 Nathan Beaulieu - 72 Tage Thompson\
40 Carter Hutton
35 Linus Ullmark
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Extra forward skating on defense