Sabres D Rivet returns

Jan 7, 2009 - 1:46 AM BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) -- Captain Craig Rivet returned to the lineup for the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday after missing 11 games with a shoulder injury.

The defenseman, who was back on the ice for the Sabres against the Ottawa Senators, last saw action in Buffalo's 4-2 victory over Tampa Bay on December 10. In 21 games this season, the 34-year-old Rivet has recorded five assists and 39 penalty minutes.

While welcoming back Rivet, the Sabres were without blue-liner Toni Lydman (illness) and right wing Maxim Afinogenov (groin) for the matchup with their Northeast Division rivals.

Lydman, 31, has registered one goal and nine assists in 39 games this season, while Afinogenov has notched two tallies and 12 points in 34 contests.