Sharpen Up: March 23, 2018

Buffalo will look to end their six-game homestand on the right note tonight when they host the Montreal Canadiens at KeyBank Center.
If you can't make it to the rink, join us for the GMC Game Night pregame show starting at 6:30 p.m. on MSG. Faceoff is scheduled for just after 7 with RJ and Rayzor on the call.
Family Packs for tonight's game are on sale now.
Here's what you need to know.

Yesterday's practice

From the Ice Level Practice Report…
Phil Housley was vocal in expressing his frustrations with the way his team played in a 4-1 loss to the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday night, a performance he deemed "unacceptable." He continued to voice his disapproval when the Buffalo Sabres returned to practice on Thursday.
The Sabres had a short but intense practice session, and at one point Housley had to stop them to demand better execution.
"I just thought that we weren't doing what I told them to do, which was a simple execution play of just attacking with wide speed and a middle lane drive," Housley said. "So I just tried to get their attention. The execution after that point was good."
Jason Pominville said he hadn't watched Housley's press conference with the media on Wednesday but noted that it likely resembled the coach's comments to the team after the loss. The message continued in the team's film session on Thursday morning.

"When we reviewed the game, it was very quiet in the room," Housley said. "So, to me, I hope that they're angry, I hope they're upset. Now we have to get ready for tomorrow and what we can control. We have to learn from that, though. Sometimes you take three steps forward and you take one, two steps back."
The Sabres have 11 wins at home this season with three games remaining at KeyBank Center. Jack Eichel could only empathize with fans who have been critical of their performance.
"I think they have a reason to be negative," he said. "What have we really put on the ice as a product for them this year? We don't score goals. We really haven't made them coming to the game worthwhile. Can you blame them? No, you can't. This is the third year that I've been here, and we haven't put a steady product on the ice for them, and it's frustrating for us because they've been so loyal.
"They've continued to come here, continued to support the team and continued to be positive. I think that's probably the hardest part."

Lineup news

Linus Ullmark will start in net while Robin Lehner will dress as his backup. Chad Johnson was absent from practice after taking a shot off the mask on Wednesday, forcing him to leave the game in the second period. Housley said that Johnson has not been diagnosed with a concussion and is day-to-day.
Zemgus Girgensons returned to practice after missing the past two games with an injury and expects to be ready to play against Montreal. Girgensons practiced on a line with Eichel and Pominville.
Marco Scandella and Rasmus Ristolainen were given maintenance days and did not practice.
The Sabres assigned Seth Griffith to Rochester after practice.
We'll have more from the morning skate here on Sabres.com.

Tonight's matchup

From the Game Notes…
- Sam Reinhart has totaled 29 points (12+17) in his last 29 games. - Ryan O'Reilly has 15 points (5+10) in 18 career games against the Canadiens, including nine (2+7) in 11 games since joining the Sabres. - Jason Pominville (7+2) has nine points in his last 10 games against Montreal.