The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to have Alexei Ponikarovsky back from injury for Wednesday's game against the Buffalo Sabres.

Ponikarovsky has been sidelined since separating his shoulder back on January 23 in a game against the Washington Capitals. 

The 27-year-old left winger was expected to be out until late February after being hit from behind by Capitals' defenceman Steve Eminger.

The Leafs had a record of 3-4 during Ponikarovsky's absence.

They head into Buffalo riding a two-game win streak, after consecutive victories over Montreal and Detroit.

The Leafs remain last in the Northeast division with 55 points, five back of the Sabres, who occupy fourth.  They trail the Boston Bruins by six for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.