Nathan Gerbe came to town with the Portland Pirates. He didn't leave with them, though.

The Buffalo Sabres have recalled their top prospect, and he'll play for the second straight night in HSBC Arena when the Ottawa Senators visit tonight at 7:30.

Gerbe should have no trouble with the back-to-back situation because he played less than one period Tuesday in the Pirates' 4-3 shootout loss to Albany. He was given a game misconduct as part of a brawl in the final minute of the opening period.

This is Gerbe's second stint with the Sabres. His first six-game run, in which he registered one assist, was interrupted by injury when he was hit in the head by New Jersey's Jamie Langenbrunner. Gerbe is tied for the rookie scoring lead in the American Hockey League with 37 points (20 goals, 17 assists).

Defenseman Andrej Sekera will miss his 12th straight game tonight with his ankle injury. Lindy Ruff said the Sabres blue-liner felt something wasn't quite right during a skate earlier this week, so the coach has no desire to put Sekera back in until he's totally healthy.

Left wing Daniel Paille will be scratched for the third straight game. Ruff said Paille is not the type of player who can replace the offense of the injured Thomas Vanek, which is why Gerbe got the call.