Sharpen Up: March 13, 2023 | Sabres' injury list grows ahead of road trip

The Buffalo Sabres hit the road for a three-game trip that starts tonight in Toronto.
Faceoff is at 7:30 p.m. on MSG and WGR 550 with pregame coverage on MSG starting at 7.
Here's what you need to know.

Last week's big news

Let's go back to yesterday's practice for the most recent developments.
Alex Tuch practiced with the team for the first time since sustaining a lower-body injury on February 24 in Florida. He has not been ruled out for tonight's game.
"The last 30 games he's had have probably been some of the best of his career, and I think everybody's become aware of it that's watched his play including us on the bench," Sabres coach Don Granato said after Sunday's practice. "… So, he was a big loss because he was playing so well when he got hurt.
"Obviously, the results aren't what we wanted since he's been out, so having him back is significant. … He's an incredible athlete, so we're gauging when's the right time for him that he's comfortable and we're comfortable putting him in. But it will be a boost when he's in there."

However, the Sabres will definitely be without Mattias Samuelsson (upper body) and Eric Comrie (lower body) for multiple weeks.
Rasmus Dahlin also missed practice with an upper-body injury and there's a chance he could play against Toronto.
Click here to read yesterday's Practice Report.
Stay tuned to the Game Preview later this morning for lineup news and injury updates.

The games ahead

Tonight's game wraps up a stretch of seven straight games against opponents holding playoff positions.
They'll face the Washington Capitals, who are also in the thick of the Wild Card Hunt, on Wednesday and the Philadelphia Flyers, who last week named former Sabres co-captain Daniel Briere their interim general manager, on Friday.
Buffalo's next home game is Sunday against Boston at 1 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.

What else to watch for this week

Buffalo picked up a point on Saturday in their 2-1 overtime loss to the New York Rangers, putting them at 69 points through 65 games this season.
Pittsburgh currently occupies the top Wild Card spot with 78 points in 66 games. The Islanders have 76 points through 68 games.
For those watching the out-of-town scores, Buffalo is the only team in the Wild Card hunt that's in action on Monday.
Here are some games to catch on Tuesday:
- Canadiens at Penguins (7 p.m.) - Capitals at Rangers (7 p.m.) - Red Wings at Predators (8 p.m.) - Senators at Oilers (9 p.m.) - Islanders at Kings (10:30 p.m.)