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

The Buffalo Sabres return to action today for an afternoon tilt against the Calgary Flames.
Faceoff is at 12:30 p.m. on MSG and WGR 550 with pregame coverage on MSG starting at noon. Tickets are on sale now.

The team will also celebrate Sabretooth's birthday today.
Billy Buffalo, Moose, Buster Bison, Rax, Petey Griffin and Monte the Eagle will all be at KeyBank Center for the party.
The afternoon will also feature a face painter, balloon artist, fan photo opportunities, and lucky row giveaways featuring Sabretooth's favorite things. Fans are encouraged to stop by the 100-level wings (atop the escalators) before the game to create a birthday card for Tooth.
Here are five other things to know heading into today's game:

1. Thompson ready to go

Center Tage Thompson was a full participant at practice on Friday and is expected to be back in the lineup this afternoon.
Thompson did not play in the third period of Buffalo's last game before the break due to an upper-body injury and could not attend All-Star Weekend in Florida as a result.
"It was nice to get a little rest there, a little time off, take care of the body and get ready to start the remaining of the season up," Thompson said yesterday.
With a point in today's game, Thompson will surpass his previous single-season career high in points (68), which he set in 78 games last year. He leads the team with 34 goals and 68 points through 50 games this season.

2. Back from the break

Buffalo will play its first game since February 1. The break is tied for the ninth-longest in-season stretch between games in franchise history. After a busy January, the players had time off for All-Star Weekend and their bye week.
And now, following two days of practice, it's now time for another game.
The Sabres have 10 games scheduled for the month of February, including just three home games after today's game.

3. Head-to-head stats

The last time these clubs played back on October 20, the Sabres defeated the Flames 6-3 as part of a four-game road trip in which they went 3-0-1.
A win in today's game would give Buffalo three wins in a row against Calgary for the first time since the team won four in a row against the Flames from March 18, 2000 to November 23, 2001.
This is the 115th game all-time between Buffalo and Calgary; Buffalo has a 55-39-20 series record. Buffalo is 33-15-8 at home against the Flames all-time.
The Sabres are 5-3-2 in their last 10 games against the Flames and 5-2-3 in their last 10 at home.

4. The playoff picture

With 56 points through 50 games played, Buffalo is currently four points behind Washington (60 points) for the second Wild Card spot. The Sabres have three games in hand.
Washington plays Boston on the road this afternoon on national TV.
The Penguins (61 points) took over the first Wild Card berth following their 6-3 win in Anaheim last night. They play the Kings tonight.
The Islanders (59 points) and Panthers (58 points) are currently ahead of the Sabres in the standings.
New York faces Montreal on the road today while Florida hosts Colorado tonight.

5. A look ahead

Following today's game, the team will head out to California as they embark on a three-game road trip.
Yes, that's right. #SabresAfterDark returns on Monday when Buffalo plays the Kings at 10:30 p.m. Pregame coverage on MSG will start at 10.
Buffalo's next home game will be Tuesday, March 21 when the Toronto Leafs come to town for the only time this season. Purchase your tickets today.