Sharpen Up: September 27, 2016

One down, six preseason games to go. And Game No. 2 is tonight. It's another game night, this time at KeyBank Center where the Sabres will face the Ottawa Senators. Here's what you need to know.

Buffalo opened up the preseason last night with a 2-1 loss to Minnesota at Penn State. Among those who suited up: Zemgus Girgensons (who scored Buffalo's lone goal), Anders Nilsson (who made 25 saves on 26 shots), Sam Reinhart, Brian Gionta, Johan Larsson, Evander Kane, Josh Gorges, Alex Nylander and Marcus Foligno.

If you have a few minutes and have your headphones on, here's
Brian Duff
to recap:

If you prefer to read (and can't wait for Springsteen's memoir to land on your doorstep),

was at the game and filed this report.

Video Replay

Still need more? Here's Sabres coach Dan Bylsma after the game:

We also talked to Anders Nilsson, who looked strong in his Buffalo debut and felt good about his performance.

Here's what Girgensons had to say:

And Casey Nelson :

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On Tap Today

No rest for the wicked - or hockey players. We should get a different looking lineup tonight as 50 players are still in training camp (Buffalo returned six players back to their junior clubs yesterday including media darling Vasily Glotov and local product Austin Osmanski).
While we're not exactly sure which Sabres will play, we know
what Ottawa's lineup will look like tonight
. Dion Phaneuf, Bobby Ryan, Cody Ceci, Kyle Turris, Mike Hoffman and Craig Anderson will be among those dressing in the game.
The morning skate gets underway at 10 a.m. and we'll have a full report for you as well as a video Game Preview.
Jack Eichel is expected to skate with the non-game group today. It'll be his first team practice since - much to the disappointment of People Who Like Fun Things - Team North America was unceremoniously eliminated from the World Cup of Hockey.
Can't make it to KeyBank Center? We'd love to see you tonight, but that's OK. Catch the game on MSG and WGR 550. It'll be the TSN feed on TV, but Duffer and
Rob Ray
will have the radio call. Our full preseason broadcast schedule can be found here.

World Stage

Speaking of the World Cup, Game 1 of the best-of-three final begins tonight. Ryan O'Reilly and Team Canada will look to continue rolling as they face Team Europe. If you're inclined, that game can be seen at 8 p.m. on ESPN and in pretty much every Canadian bar.

One Buffalo WHAT? Love

Last night, the NLL Draft took place in Oakville, Ont. and your Buffalo Bandits selected six players. They also acquired former Sabres draft pick Brad Self (1999, 235th overall) from the Rochester Knighthawks. Self never suited up for an NHL game, but he has had a successful NLL career, Now he's a Bandit.
Tonight, the legendary John Tavares will be inducted into the NLL Hall of Fame with Josh Sanderson and fellow former Bandit Tracey Keulsky. Six members of the Bandits organization are also up for end-of-season awards, headlined by Dhane Smith's Most Valuable Player nomination. That hardware will be handed out tonight in a ceremony that will be streamed online.
We'll talk to you after the morning skate.