Sharpen Up: October 16, 2017

Phil Housley picked up his first career win as a head coach last night as the Sabres defeated the Anaheim Ducks 3-1 at Honda Center. Justin Bailey (in his first game of the season), Benoit Pouliot and Johan Larsson scored for Buffalo, snapping an 0-4-1 skid to start the season.
The Sabres are in Vegas for their first-ever game against the Golden Knights tomorrow night.
Here's what you need to know.

If you couldn't stay awake…

Here's the game recap from
Jourdon
(which you should check out for a deeper look at the game).

"It's great to get your first win obviously," Housley said. "To do it on the road is great. But this isn't about me, it's about those guys in that locker room. They've been through a lot and they found a way to win tonight on the road, in a tough building.
"They gutted it out, stayed the course and I'm just really proud of them."

The Sabres opened the scoring 1:26 into the game thanks to a goal from Justin Bailey, which came on his first shift. Bailey was officially recalled that morning from Rochester and made the most of his opportunity in front of the net.

"I think we've been preaching on getting pucks to the net and the good results that can come from that," Bailey said. "The play was pretty simple. I came off the bench, we got pucks to the net and caused a little confusion and I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time."
The Ducks tied it on a shorthanded goal with 4:10 remaining in the second period - the fifth such goal they've allowed this season.

However, Buffalo was able to head into the intermission with a lead thanks to a bounce going their way with 24 seconds remaining. Pouliot was credited with his first goal as a Sabre.

Chad Johnson was solid between the pipes, making 25 stops including this one:

Rob Ray talked to him after the game:

With the addition of Bailey, the Sabres are traveling with 14 forwards. Kyle Okposo missed the game due to an illness and Seth Griffith served as a healthy scratch, but we'll see if the Sabres will need those extra bodies tomorrow because Jacob Josefson left the game with an injury. Housley did not have an update on his status.

Feeling lucky?

The Sabres will conclude their four-game trip tomorrow night against the Vegas Golden Knights - who are 4-1-0 - at T-Mobile Arena. It will be Buffalo's first-ever matchup with the NHL's 31st club.
Coverage on Tuesday begins at 9:30 p.m. with GMC Gamenight on MSG. The puck drops at 10 p.m. on MSG and you can also listen to RJ and Rayzor call the action on WGR 550.