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Sabres’ Hodgson will play vs. Montreal on Tuesday

Buffalo Sabres v Anaheim Ducks

ANAHEIM, CA - FEBRUARY 29: Cody Hodgson #19 of the Buffalo Sabres looks on prior to the start of the game against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on February 29, 2012 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

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After sitting out Buffalo’s 5-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Friday night, Cody Hodgson will return to the Sabres lineup Tuesday night in Montreal.

Sabres’ coach Ted Nolan made the announcement following the team’s practice Sunday.

“Cody will go back in. It’s just one of those things. We have to get messages across to some people and you try different ways to get it across,” said Nolan. “Cody is one of those guys… he has some skill and he has the ability to put the puck in the net, but unfortunately it’s not working.

“We’ve got to find a way to get it out of him. Maybe by sitting him out, you get him mad and angry – maybe that’ll work.”

Hodgson has two goals and seven points to go along with a minus-21 rating in 48 games this season. By comparison, during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season Hodgson had 15 goals and 34 points in 48 games.

“I just have to respond and play hockey,” said Hodgson. “That’s all I can do. That’s all I’ve ever done my whole life, just play. That’s all I can think about.

“It just comes back to what I can do on the ice. I still think I have confidence in my abilities to do what I need to do on the ice. Making plays, getting shots on net, generating offense. It just comes back to the ability to do that and I still think I have it.”

Nolan hopes making Hodgson a healthy scratch sends a message to others in the room.

“This job, you can’t take it for granted. You just can’t assume you’re going to play. That’s with everybody. Especially when we’re trying to turn around the cultural side of where we are right now,” said Nolan. “Hopefully its a statement to some of the younger guys like (Rasmus) Ristolainen and those type of kids. Don’t take things for granted.”

Buffalo enters Tuesday night’s game having lost 14 straight overall and 14 consecutive on the road. The Sabres last road win came Nov. 29 in Montreal.

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