Sharpen Up: April 26, 2022 | Gearing up for the last week of the season

The season is winding down, but there's still a lot going on.
The Buffalo Sabres are getting practice sessions in as they prepare for their final two games of the season. They'll face the Boston Bruins on the road Thursday night before returning home for the season finale on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Tickets are on sale now.
Friday will not only be Fan Appreciation Night, but also RJ's Last Call presented by Wegmans. Rick Jeanneret will broadcast his final game as the team's play-by-play announcer. He'll retire after 51 years behind the mic.
We have more details on the night in Sharpen Up.
Here's what you need to know.

New 'Beyond Blue and Gold' premieres tonight at 7 p.m.

A new episode of "Beyond Blue and Gold," premiering Tuesday night on Sabres.com and the Buffalo Sabres' official YouTube Channel will take fans behind the scenes of one of the most memorable nights in franchise history.
"RJ Forever" presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York follows legendary Sabres play-by-play announcer Rick Jeanneret around KeyBank Center on the night his banner was unveiled in the rafters.
Experience the night through Jeanneret's eyes and ride the wave of emotions with him, from a pregame conversation with head coach Don Granato to the players escorting him out onto the ice for one final salute.
Fans will hear from RJ's wife Sandra - with an exclusive look at their home - and his current broadcast partners.

Fan Appreciation details

The Buffalo Sabres will honor the best fans in hockey this week during the final two games of the regular season.
• Fan Appreciation at Home (Thursday, April 28 at Boston Bruins)
• Fan Appreciation Night presented by Wegmans (Friday, April 29 vs. Chicago Blackhawks) - Tickets are on sale now
During Friday's regular-season finale at KeyBank Center, the team will host Fan Appreciation Night presented by Wegmans. Faceoff is set for 7 p.m. Doors open at 5:30.

The first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a commemorative "RJ's Last Call" T-shirt. Fans will be able to send RJ off with various concourse activations including photos in front of both a "Thank You, RJ" banner and alpha lit letters. Fans can also fill out a placard upon arrival to share a special message with RJ. After the game, fans are encouraged to stay in their seats to honor Jeanneret.
Using the Mixhalo app, fans can bring their headphones and listen to RJ's final broadcast live without delay in the arena bowl on their smartphone.
The 2021-22 Fan of the Year will be recognized during a pregame ceremony on the ice that will also announce the winner of this year's Rick Martin Memorial Award winner presented by the team's Gold Ring partners (KeyBank, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and LECOM).
Kyle Okposo, Jeff Skinner and Alex Tuch are this year's Rico Award finalists. The award, as voted on by the fans, honors the player who best demonstrates on-ice excellence, resiliency, and a dedication to the community.
Fans at the game can also enjoy 30 percent off the Sabres Store, $2 concession prices on popcorn, hot dogs, nachos and bottled non-alcoholic beverages. Lucky rows will receive giveaways and other prizes.
Select season-ticket members will also have the opportunity to join the team on the ice for the return of Jersey Off Our Backs, where they'll receive a player's game-worn jersey after the final horn.
Fans are also encouraged to tune in to MSG on Thursday during Buffalo's road game against the Boston Bruins for Fan Appreciation at Home festivities. Pregame coverage begins at 6:30 p.m.
Throughout Thursday's broadcast, fans can win prizes, and winners will be announced live on the air.
Click here for more details.

Yesterday's practice

From the Practice Report:
Tage Thompson is keeping the same mindset that has fueled his career-best campaign as he chases the 40-goal mark with two games remaining in the Sabres' season.
Thompson is currently riding a six-game point streak, pushing him to 37 goals and 30 assists. The Sabres visit the Boston Bruins on Thursday and conclude the season at home against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday.
"Obviously, reaching 40 goals would really be an incredible achievement," Thompson said. "It's hard not to think about it, but you try just to block it out and focus on the team stuff because that's what really matters. I think when you start focusing on the numbers, that's when you'll probably get snake bitten."

Thompson entered this season with a chip on his shoulder, eager to prove he could take his game to new heights. He surpassed his previous career-high goal total (eight) in just 20 games. He hit the 20-goal mark on Feb. 20.
Thirty goals came and went in early, and he still wasn't satisfied.
"Once I started creeping up to that goal, I just wanted to continue to set the bar higher," he said. "Once I reached 30, it just wanted me to keep climbing up and keep growing."
Read more here.

Okposo named Masterton Trophy nominee

The Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) selected Kyle Okposo as the Sabres' nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.
The award is given annually to the player that best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. Okposo will go up against nominees from the NHL's other 31 teams. The winner will be announced during the NHL Awards in June.
Pat LaFontaine was the last Sabres player to win the award in 1995, while current goaltender Craig Anderson was the recipient in 2017 with the Ottawa Senators.
Okposo has embraced his leadership role with a locker room full of young players while having one of his best seasons in Buffalo. In 74 games this season, Okposo's 21 goals and 45 points are his highest since signing with the Sabres before the 2016-17 season.
He left Monday's practice early with a non-contact injury.