Sharpen Up: March 31, 2021 | Sabres vs. Flyers on NBCSN tonight

The Buffalo Sabres will be featured on national television tonight when they host the Philadelphia Flyers at 7:30 p.m. at KeyBank Center.
Watch the game on NBCSN. Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray will have the call on WGR 550.
Buffalo is looking to end an 18-game winless streak (0-15-3). The team's last win came on February 23.
The Sabres earned a point on Monday against Philadelphia. They held a 3-0 lead going into the third period before the Flyers stormed back and won the game 42 seconds into overtime.
We'll have full coverage of the team's morning skate, which will be streamed live at 10:15 a.m. on Sabres.com, the team's Twitter account and the team's Facebook page. More details below.
Here's what you need to know.

Tuesday's practice

Casey Mittelstadt acknowledges the opportunity in front of him. The Buffalo Sabres have openings at the center position following the trade of Eric Staal and an injury to Dylan Cozens, setting up a chance for Mittelstadt to contribute at his natural position down the stretch.
"It's no secret it's a big opportunity for me," Mittelstadt said in yesterday's Practice Report. "I feel like I've been playing well and making plays. It's just, we got to get the results."
Cozens was injured during the first period of Monday's game. Sabres interim coach Don Granato said there should be an update on his status today.

Mittelstadt pivoted a line featuring Taylor Hall and Tage Thompson.
"I thought our line was great," Mittelstadt said. "I think the biggest part of the game for us was when we were back in the D-zone, we were just breaking pucks out quick, good plays by the D. A couple times they found me in the middle. I think that's huge, that's something we haven't done so much in the past and are trying to utilize it more now.
"I think you get rushes off making good breakouts, it's pretty much that simple. Obviously, Tommer and Hallsy were making plays on the rush and crisscrossing and making plays, so, yeah, it was fun to watch. Obviously, there's some things to build on and definitely some more chances that we can bury."

Jacob Bryson returned to practice after missing the past two games with an upper-body injury. Granato said he made it through the session well and appears ready to play Wednesday.
For lineup news and other notes, check out the Practice Report.

Live stream this morning

The Sabres' morning skate on Wednesday will be streamed live on Sabres.com as well as the team's Twitter and Facebook accounts.
The stream, presented by Blue BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, will begin at 10:15 a.m. from KeyBank Center. Sabres broadcasters Brian Duff and Martin Biron will host the stream.
Kevyn Adams will join them for an exclusive interview during the morning skate.
Over the course of the stream, BlueCross BlueShield will also be presenting health and wellness facts and player tracking details to fans that will pop up on the screen.

Tonight's matchup

From the Game Notes, compiled by our friends at @SabresPR:
- Tonight's game opens Buffalo's 10th of 12 sets of back-to-back games this season, which continues tomorrow night vs. the NY Rangers. - The Sabres are 2-7-0 in the first game of back-to-back sets and 1-8-0 in the second game so far this season. - Buffalo's point breakdown in previous back-to-back sets is: four points (0), three points (0), two points (3), one point (0) and zero points (6).