Sharpen Up: September 26, 2017

The preseason is quickly winding down. There are only two games remaining, starting tomorrow night against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. The game can be seen on MSG starting with the pregame show at 6:30 p.m. RJ and Rayzor will have the call.
But first, there's another day of practice at HarborCenter this morning.
Here's what you need to know.

Monday's practice

Who was on the ice?
9 Evander Kane - 15 Jack Eichel - 29 Jason Pominville
28 Zemgus Girgensons - 90 Ryan O'Reilly - 21 Kyle Okposo
67 Benoit Pouliot - 23 Sam Reinhart - 25 Seth Griffith
26 Matt Moulson - 22 Johan Larsson - 13 Nick Baptiste
44 Nicolas Deslauriers - 10 Jacob Josefson - 95 Justin Bailey
6 Marco Scandella - 55 Rasmus Ristolainen
82 Nathan Beaulieu - 47 Zach Bogosian
4 Josh Gorges - 93 Victor Antipin
41 Justin Falk - 5 Matt Tennyson
38 Cody Goloubef - 27 Taylor Fedun
40 Robin Lehner
31 Chad Johnson
35 Linus Ullmark
With camp for the Rochester Americans in full swing, we're closer to what Buffalo's opening night roster might look like. Of course, there are still position battles at some positions on the third and fourth lines and on defense. So those are some of the things we'll be watching as Oct. 5 approaches.

For more on those position battles check out yesterday's Ice Level Practice Report.
Speaking of Oct. 5, here's a way for you to win a seat to the game:

Click here for more details.

Injury updates

Jake McCabe, Evan Rodrigues, Alex Nylander and Sean Malone did not practice. McCabe is week-to-week with an upper-body injury, but could be ready for the season opener against Montreal next Thursday, according to head coach Phil Housley.
There is no timetable set for the return of Rodrigues, who sustained a hand injury in Friday's preseason game in Toronto. Housley said both Nylander and Malone are making progress in their returns. Malone has been skating on his own.

Prospects back in action

Brandon Hagel and Rasmus Asplund had stand-out weekends. Kris Baker of
SabresProspects.com
has more on those future Sabres and other coming up through the pipeline in our weekly Sabres Prospects Report.

Speaking of top amateur players...

Tickets for the World Junior Championship outdoor game on Dec. 29 between Team USA and Canada at New Era Field are on sale now!

On tap today

Practice kicks off at 11 a.m. at HarborCenter today. We'll have full written and video coverage for you right here at Sabres.com.