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Report: O’Reilly out indefinitely following Christmas appendectomy (Updated)

Ryan O'Reilly, Nikita Kucherov

Ryan O’Reilly, Nikita Kucherov

AP

It’s been a disappointing season thus far in Buffalo, and the holidays weren’t much better.

Per a report from the Buffalo news, Sabres No. 1 center and fourth-leading scorer Ryan O’Reilly underwent an appendectomy on Dec. 25 and will be out of the lineup for an indefinite length of time.

Update: The Sabres have confirmed the report, adding there’s no timetable for his return.

The 25-year-old had been one of the few bright spots in the Sabres lineup to begin the year. He racked up seven goals and 11 assists through 27 games, but did miss extended time (six games) earlier this season with an oblique injury.

The injury appeared to hamper his on-ice performance. Since returning, O’Reilly has played 11 games and scored just a single goal.

As mentioned above, not much has gone right in Buffalo this season. Jack Eichel missed a boatload of time with a high ankle sprain, Evander Kane has struggled with injury and Tyler Ennis has only played in 12 games due to a hernia.

As such, the team has been erratic at best en route to posting an 12-13-8 record, which sent the Sabres into the holiday break sitting dead last in the Atlantic Division.

Given that O’Reilly plays over 21 minutes a night, he’s going to leave a huge hole in the lineup. Head coach Dan Bylsma will attempt to fill it starting tonight, when the Sabres host the Red Wings in their first game back from break.