Sharpen Up: November 23, 2017

While today is a day to give thanks, the Sabres will take the day to analyze what it's going to take to turn things around and get back on the right track. Buffalo has lost its last seven games, going 0-5-2 over that stretch, and last night's 5-4 defeat at the hands of Minnesota prompted some of the strongest postgame comments of the season from the players.
Here's what you need to know.

About last night

From the Lexus Postgame Report…

The Sabres certainly got the start they wanted, at one point outshooting the Wild 9-3 in the first period and taking a 1-0 lead when Jack Eichel jammed a puck past Dubnyk 6:55 into the contest.
At that point, Housley said, all they had to do was the stay the course. Instead, Tyler Ennis tied the game with the type of bad-angle goal he became known for during his time in Buffalo and a string of subsequent mistakes led to a pair of goals each for Nino Niederreiter and Mikael Granlund.

"In the offensive zone, we turn the puck over when we have a D going down the wall," coach Phil Housley said. "We have a D getting involved in the play down low, trying to keep a play alive in the offensive zone, and we don't cover for the D. It's these mistakes in the game that are costing us.
"I don't feel like everybody's on the same page. I think guys are taking things in their own hands and this is the result they're getting."
Jordan Nolan, who scored twice, knows what it takes to win, having won two Stanley Cup championships with the Los Angeles Kings.

"If I made a mistake in my fifth year, a higher guy was telling me, you need you need to work harder, you need to get that puck in," Nolan said. "Or, you know, Jeff Carter told me a few times when I was younger that I need to work harder or my shifts are too long.
"It's the little things. That's what I learned coming into the league. And I think we are missing that a little bit in this room. But guys are young and I think they need to be told."
Jason Pominville is a veteran of 927 NHL games.

"We've had talks. We've had video sessions. Again, that's not on coaching, it's on us," he said. "They can't change it. It's got to be us. It's got to come from us. We've got to be better and I believe that we have the capability to do it but, again, everyone's got to look themselves in the mirror and pull up their sleeves and be better.
"Right now it's not happening and we got to put this behind us and move forward because what's behind us isn't even close to being good enough."

Winter Classic jerseys unveiled

If you're holiday shopping for a Sabres fan you know (or just want one for yourself), they're on sale now at the Sabres Store.

Looking to help those in need this holiday season?

The Sabres will once again partner with Catholic Charities of Buffalo for the Sabres Holiday Angels program. Sabres Holiday Angels is an adopt-a-family program that allows Sabres fans to participate by supporting our neighbors in need this holiday season.
There are four different ways that fans can get involved with the program. The first is the adopt-a-family option. After registering to adopt, fans will receive information via email with details regarding the family they have been chosen to support. Information will include first name, age, gender, clothing size and interests/likes for each person to assist with shopping efforts (Note: In some cases limited information is available).
The second option is the donation of individual gifts to the program. The gift can be an item of the donor's choosing and Catholic Charities will match the gift with a person or family in need. The third option is to bring wrapping paper and wrapping accessories to one of the drop-off locations listed below. The final option is the donation of a gift card. Gift cards may be mailed directly to Catholic Charities Parish Outreach & Advocacy (741 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, N.Y. 14209).
Click here for more details.

Coming up today

The Sabres are set to hold an optional skate this morning. We'll have full written and video coverage for you here at Sabres.com. Buffalo hosts Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers tomorrow night.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!