Sharpen Up: March 19, 2018

Buffalo hosts the Nashville Predators tonight at KeyBank Center in the fourth game of a six-game homestand. Join us at KeyBank Center or catch the GMC Game Night pregame show starting at 6:30 p.m. on MSG. RJ and Rayzor have the call at 7 on MSG and WGR 550.
Here's what you need to know.

Sunday's practice

Some good news from the Ice Level Practice Report…
Kyle Okposo was back on the ice again for practice with the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday morning, and it appeared to be all systems go for the forward. Whereas he skated as an extra on defense upon returning to practice on Friday, this time he was a regular on the power play and on a line with Seth Griffith and Evan Rodrigues.
In other words, he looked ready to play. He said he felt ready as well, and Phil Housley said he expects Okposo to be in the lineup against the Nashville Predators on Monday night assuming he responds well to practice.
"I think we should expect to see Kyle depending on today and how he handled the practice," Housley said. "All signs look like a go but we'll evaluate that tomorrow."
Okposo has missed three games since sustaining a concussion on Oct. 8, the latest setback in what he described as a down season personally. He's scored 38 points (11+27) in 65 games this season after scoring 45 points (19+26) in in an equal number of contests last year, his first as a Sabre.

The Sabres assigned Justin Bailey to Rochester on Sunday morning, but he's back with the Sabres now. Bailey was due to serve a one-game suspension in the AHL for an illegal check to the head against Syracuse last Sunday.
Bailey joins the Sabres for his fourth recall this season, has four points (3+1) in 10 games for the Sabres this season. Currently in his third professional season, the Buffalo native has recorded eight points (5+3) in 50 career NHL games for the Sabres.
Drafted by Buffalo in the second round (52nd overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft, Bailey has six points (4+2) in his last six games for the Amerks and has posted 92 points (49+43) in 150 career AHL contests.
Stick with us for coverage of the morning skate here on Sabres.com.

Tonight's matchup

• Ryan O'Reilly has totaled seven points (2+5) in his last seven games against Nashville.
• Sam Reinhart has totaled 29 points (12+17) in his last 27 games.
• Rasmus Ristolainen has 26 points (6+20) in his last 34 games dating back to Dec. 29. Ristolainen's 26 points during that span tied for seventh among NHL defensemen entering play Sunday.

Beauts headed to the finals

And USA is golden again

Congrats to Adam Page and Luke McDermott of the Buffalo Sabres Sled Hockey Team on winning gold!

Wine Fest is next Wednesday

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Hockey Equipment Drive starts today