Sharpen Up: September 25, 2019

It's a game night in Buffalo. Preseason action continues at 7 p.m. tonight at KeyBank Center as the Sabres host the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Tickets are on sale now. You can also catch the game on MSG starting at 6:30 with Brian Duff and Martin Biron on the pregame show. Rick Jeanneret and Rob Ray will have the call. And Dan Dunleavy will chip in with interviews throughout the evening. Yes, the whole gang's back for another season.
Here's what you need to know.

Tonight's matchup

Buffalo's game roster is out. We have it here for you. It's a pretty veteran lineup for Buffalo as the internal competition for an opening night roster spot heats up.
Columbus has yet to announce its roster.
Speaking of those position battles…

Tuesday's practice

From the Ice Level Practice Report…
Scott Wilson and Rasmus Ristolainen returned to practice with the Sabres on Tuesday as they prepared for their penultimate preseason game, at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday night.
Wilson had been absent since sustaining a lower-body injury in Toronto on Friday. Ristolainen missed practice on Monday due to an illness.
Wilson was one of 17 forwards at practice, all of whom are vying to crack the opening-night roster.
"We're pleased with this group that's out there right now and we kept such a big roster because of how well everybody's performed in training camp," Krueger said. "So, we'd be comfortable with any mix of these 12 forwards starting for us.
"It will all come down to the kind of synergies we're looking for in the lines and the balance we need between some grit and skill, some power play, some penalty kill. All of that's going to play out in the end, not necessarily the effort of any individual."
Read the full report here.

Vesey settling in

From our Q&A with the new Sabres forward…
You score a breakaway goal in your first preseason game in Buffalo. What was your first impression of the atmosphere in this building?
I thought it was great. Obviously, Buffalo's known to have passionate fans. I definitely wanted to do something my first game here as a Sabre. I was lucky enough to get a great stretch pass from Sam and wanted to make sure I buried it.
It was definitely a good feeling. I know it's preseason, but I gave a little fist bump. I was excited.

What impression did Buffalo make during your trips here as a visitor?
Like I said, passionate fans, a good atmosphere. I think I always remembered the goal song, so that was cool to hear on the other side of it.
I've heard you describe your game as having a blue-collar element. Where does that come from?
I think I've always had an ability to score goals. Even in college, every goal's not going to be pretty. If you look at the NHL, a lot of goals are scored right in front of the net. So, I guess from a young age, my dad was my coach and that was always something he harped upon. It just kind of stuck with me ever since.
I'm a bigger body, so I don't mind getting in front of the net and taking a cross-check to score a goal.
You were traded on July 1. How does that affect your summer logistically?
It wasn't too bad. I still prepared the same way, did the same workouts and same routine training-wise. I guess the biggest thing was just, like you said, logistics - finding an apartment, finding the time to come down here, talking to everyone, meeting new faces.
It was a lot the first couple days, just phone calls and talking to everyone. But I'm extremely happy how it's worked out so far.
Read the full story here.

Make sure your My One Buffalo app is up to date!

It's the new official app of the Buffalo Sabres. Here are some details from yesterday's press release…
The brand new My One Buffalo app is now available for download in the Apple App Store and Google Play. The new version of the app expands team content with both Bills and Sabres videos, news, stats, scores and the ability to stream live Bills games in-market.
Download from the Apple App Store
Download from Google Play
The new app allows fans to continue to manage their tickets, find information about New Era Field and KeyBank Center, and sign up for the My One Buffalo membership program that includes exclusive offers and discounts across all Pegula-owned properties in Buffalo.
Beginning October 1, the older version of the My One Buffalo app will no longer be active, and the new version will need to be downloaded for ticket management.
The stand-alone Sabres app is no longer available, and all of its features have been migrated to the new My One Buffalo app including content, team news, stats, and scores. Hockey fans can also access Sabres scores, information, and NHL.tv on the Sabres dedicated page within the NHL app.