Sharpen Up: January 21, 2019

The Sabres are one of 10 teams in the midst of their annual bye week.
Buffalo wrapped up its three-game road trip through Western Canada with a 4-3 loss in Vancouver on Friday. Their next game will be on Tues., Jan. 29 in Columbus, which will serve as the first half of a back-to-back set that'll end in Dallas.
But between now and then, we'll have the All-Star Game to keep us entertained.
Here's what you need to know.

A look back at Friday night

From the Lexus Postgame Report…
For all the good they exhibited for 60 minutes inside Rogers Arena on Friday night, the Buffalo Sabres were able to point to a few key moments as the determining factors in a 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks.
The simple, resilient identity that earned the Sabres an overtime win in Calgary on Wednesday was present throughout the night and showed in their 39-23 shot advantage. But like their loss in Edmonton on Monday, the few mistakes they did make proved costly.
"That's kind of the way it's gone the last week, week and a half," alternate captain Kyle Okposo said. "We have to do a better job limiting our mistakes. I thought we played a really good game tonight and the mistakes cost us. You've got to do your job away from the puck."
The Canucks scored three goals on their first eight shots of the game, the last of which didn't come until the 8:00 mark of the second period. The Sabres were outshooting the Canucks 7-0 when Evan Rodrigues opened the scoring with 11:12 remaining in the first.

The Canucks were held without a shot until 10:36 remained in the first period. They tied the game on their third shot, which came from Alexander Edler at the point with 7:48 remaining, and took the lead when Derrick Pouliot weaved through the Sabres' defense and fed a wide-open Sven Baertschi with 4:29 remaining.
The Sabres erased a pair of one-goal deficits thanks to goals from Kyle Okposo and Sam Reinhart, but the Canucks took of advantage of miscues to regain the lead on both occasions. Bo Horvat picked off a pass in the Buffalo zone to set up a Brock Boeser goal in the second period, while Josh Leivo fed an unchecked Loui Eriksson for the winning goal with 14:03 left in the third.

Linus Ullmark, who made his second straight start in net for the Sabres, had little chance to stop any of the four goals he allowed.
"When we don't have the puck it's so important as we move forward here, because every little play matters," Sabres coach Phil Housley said. "It's unfortunate because we played a heck of a game and we're not coming out of here with any points."
You can read the full recap here.

NHL All-Star Weekend coming up

Jack Eichel and Jeff Skinner are set to be part of the NHL's midseason celebration.
The NHL All-Star Skills Competition is set for Fri., Jan. 25 from SAP Center. The 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game will be played on Sat., Jan. 26.
We'll have full on-site coverage for you here on Sabres.com and on our social channels.

Bogo's 'Casino For A Cause' set for Feb. 2

Enjoy a 1920's-themed evening with your favorite Sabres players at Casino for a Cause on Feb. 2 at Town Ballroom. The 21+ event is being put on by Zach Bogosian's Bogo Bunch Foundation. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $125 and are on sale here.
The night at the old "Town Casino" will feature a silent and live auction with live music by the Rat Pack Band, complimentary beverages and passed Hors d'oeuvres, and complimentary valet parking.
The Sabres will act as dealers at the gaming tables. Each guest will receive chips to start. No real money will be used at the tables.
Dress in 1920s-themed outfits or cocktail attire.

Coming up

Sharpen Up will return later this week.

In the meantime, look out for an Amerks Update (they have three games this week, including a pair at home), some prospects news and a sneak peek of the newest episodes of Beyond Blue and Gold presented by New Era.