The Portland Pirates received Mark Mancari back from the Buffalo Sabres, but he might not be here for long.

The Pirates leading-scoring was called up yesterday morning by the Sabres to play against the Boston Bruins at the TD Garden where he assisted on former Pirate Luke Adam’s first NHL goal.

In 26 games with the Pirates, Mancari has 12 goals, 14 assists for 26 points and scored in four of his last five contests with Portland.

Mancari was sent back to Portland after the game because the Sabres were hoping that forward Drew Stafford might be ready to play on Thursday at HSBC Arena in Buffalo against the San Jose Sharks.

That may not be the case according Sabres coach Lindy Ruff.

“We’ll make that decision later this afternoon,” said Ruff on calling someone up from Portland. “We were hoping (Stafford) might be good enough (to play). The conversation I’ve had (with him), he’s not ready yet.”

With the mounting injuries in Buffalo, there doesn’t seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel for the Pirates who only skated with 10 forwards in last night’s, 4-2, loss to the Worcester Sharks.

The Pirates have fallen in six of their last seven games, going 1-5-0-1, and now sit in third place in the AHL’s Atlantic Division.

Pirates head coach Kevin Dineen said the team would regroup after taking today off as they prepare for a six game stretch in 10 days that will take them up to the Christmas break.

“I’ll evaluate our situation,” he said after last night’s game. “We won’t go this weekend without a full lineup.”

(with files from Bill Hoppe)