Game Preview | 5 things to know ahead of Sabres vs. Ducks

The Buffalo Sabres are set for an afternoon affair with the Anaheim Ducks today at KeyBank Center.
Tickets are on sale now with limited inventory starting at just $20. Pregame coverage on MSG starts at noon with the game kicking off at 12:30.
Stay tuned for any lineup news and additional notes after coach Don Granato speaks with the media later this morning.
Until then, here are five things to know ahead of today's game:

1. Miller in attendance

Ryan Miller will be dropping the puck today in a ceremonial faceoff. On Thursday, the franchise's all-time wins leader was inducted into the Sabres Hall of Fame and had his No. 30 retired by the organization.
His banner will officially be in its permanent location - next to Rick Jeanneret's banner - in the KeyBank Center rafters.
RJ will join Brian Duff and Martin Biron on the pregame show, and Miller will stop by the set for an interview during the first intermission.
2. Today's matchup
This is the first of two meetings between the Sabres and Ducks this season.
Anaheim defeated Buffalo 2-0 in Buffalo on December 7, 2021 in the last meeting between these two clubs. They'll face each other again on Wednesday, February 15 in Anaheim.
The Sabres are 5-4-1 in their last 10 games against the Ducks and 4-5-1 at home.
This is the 43rd game all-time between Buffalo and Anaheim; Buffalo has a 21-17-4 series record. The Sabres are 9-8-4 at home against the Ducks all-time.
The Sabres have recorded seven power-play goals in their last seven matchups with the Ducks.
3. Dahlin hits 50 points

Sabres defenseman recorded two assists on Thursday in Buffalo's 3-2 overtime win over the Islanders to reach the 50-point plateau for the second time in his career.
According to TSN, just three other defensemen younger than 23 (on 5 occasions) - Bobby Orr, Paul Coffee and Brian Leetch - have ever gotten there faster.

Dahlin, who turns 23 in April, recorded 53 points (13+40) in 80 games last season.
He has recorded 33 points (6+27) in his last 29 games, and is on pace for 94 points this season (24+40), which would break Phil Housley's single-season franchise points record by a Sabres defenseman (81).
4. It's Youth Hockey Day

Fans playing on youth hockey teams are encouraged to wear their team's jersey to the game and the first 5,000 kids in attendance will receive a custom black and red mini stick upon entry.
Sabres players will enter the arena wearing local youth hockey team jerseys. For the game, the team will wear their "goathead" jerseys for the seventh time this season.
Also, Sabres alumni Derek Roy and Paul Gaustad will be signing autographs in the 100-level concourse near the Blue Zone from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
5. Hitting the road
Following today's game, the team will prep for a four-game road trip that will span six days. It begins on Monday when Buffalo takes on the Western Conference-leading Dallas Stars.
The Sabres' next home game is February 1. Tickets are on sale now.