Pierre Engvall started the season in Bridgeport as a wake-up call.

ELMONT, NY -- New York Islanders forward Pierre Engvall will serve as a healthy scratch against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night, with the team opting to run seven defensemen. 

The 28-year-old started the season in Bridgeport of the American Hockey League as a wake-up call after a disappointing training camp.

Since being recalled on Oct. 26, Engvall has three goals and two assists in 16 games. He served as a healthy scratch in their 2-0 shutout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct. 30.

"I didn't like his last couple of games, defensively or offensively," Islanders head coach Patrick Roy said. "I feel like he's been playing way too much on the outside. When he plays his best, it's when he goes to the net front, like he did before when he attacked the net. When he starts to play on the outside, I'm not as crazy about him."

"Sometimes, just watching a game...hopefully, that will send a message."

What frustrates Roy about Engvall, who is in the second season of a seven-year deal worth $3 million annually, is that the talent is there, just not consistently. 

"There's a player we want, and the player we want is the guy that is around the net and the guy that will bring pucks [to the net]," Roy said. "He's got so much speed. He's got so many skills, so there's no reason for him to not be able to do that."

While Engvall will be out of the lineup, so will forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury. 

Pageau took warmups against the Washington Capitals ahead of their 5-4 overtime loss but did not play.

Defenseman Scott Mayfield will play after missing the final eight minutes of Friday's game after taking a puck to the face off a point shot.

Defenseman Grant Hutton will serve as the extra defenseman. 

Puck drop is at 7:30 PM ET on MSGSN.