Sharpen Up: January 11, 2018

After a passionate practice on Wednesday, Buffalo is back at it tonight in action tonight at KeyBank Center as Columbus is in town for the game.
We'll have full lineup news for you coming up during the morning skate, including who's in and who's out of the lineup. Then check out the GMC Game Night pregame show starting at 6:30 p.m. on MSG. RJ and Rayzor will have the call just after 7 on MSG and WGR 550.
Here's what you need to know.

Yesterday's practice

From the Ice Level Practice Report…

Following a loss to the Winnipeg Jets that prompted Phil Housley to call for his team to show a greater sense of defensive urgency, the Buffalo Sabres held a physical, competitive practice at KeyBank Center on Wednesday morning.
With that physicality came emotion, and potentially a loss on defense. Zach Bogosian had to be helped off the ice while battling Evander Kane for a loose puck in the corner on one drill. On another, emotions boiled over and prompted an exchange between Kane and Justin Falk.

Housley said that the team will know more regarding Bogosian's status once he's finished being evaluated later in the day. As for the confrontation between Kane and Falk, all sides agreed that the emotions shown may have been healthy for a struggling team.
Kane chalked up his confrontation with Falk as being a heat of the moment exchange, and Jason Pominville echoed Falk in saying that he actually liked seeing the emotion.

In fact, he said the Sabres need to show even more of it going forward.
"That was the one that everyone's probably going to pinpoint, but there were other plays where guys were working hard, finishing their checks and competing and battling," Pominville said. "That's what it's all about. That's what you need if you want to win. It can't only be one practice.
"Yeah, today there might be a little more anger than what there usually is, but the way we competed and the way we worked has to be that way every day."
Housley said that Bogosian would be further evaluated so we could have an update on his status today.
Jacob Josefson (who is now on injured reserve after blocking a shot Tuesday night), Robin Lehner, Marco Scandella and Rasmus Ristolainen did not practice.
Check out the full report, including a closer look at Brendan Guhle's first game of the season, here.

From the Game Notes

Join The Instigators for a happy hour tonight at (716) Food and Sport

Eichel headed to his 1st All-Star Game

We'll get some reaction from Eichel later today on the announcement, but until then, check out this story on his season thus far.
Some notes on Eichel's latest streak: