Okposo practices again, expected to play Monday

Kyle Okposo was back on the ice again for practice with the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday morning, and it appeared to be all systems go for the forward. Whereas he skated as an extra on defense upon returning to practice on Friday, this time he was a regular on the power play and on a line with Seth Griffith and Evan Rodrigues.
In other words, he looked ready to play. He said he felt ready as well, and Phil Housley said he expects Okposo to be in the lineup against the Nashville Predators on Monday night assuming he responds well to practice.
"I think we should expect to see Kyle depending on today and how he handled the practice," Housley said. "All signs look like a go but we'll evaluate that tomorrow."

Okposo has missed three games since sustaining a concussion on Oct. 8, the latest setback in what he described as a down season personally. He's scored 38 points (11+27) in 65 games this season after scoring 45 points (19+26) in in an equal number of contests last year, his first as a Sabre.
After using his week away from the ice to reset and evaluate what he needs to do moving forward, Okposo said he still has goals he'd like to accomplish this season with 11 games remaining.
"I've got a personal number I'd like to hit with my own goals, assists and points and shots," he said. It's been a real struggle personally for me this year. … I'm just trying to work as hard as I can and try to make a positive impact on this group, and just try and lead by example with my work ethic and my preparation."
Getting back to top form, Housley said, starts with his physicality.
"He's a power forward, use that down low in the offensive zone," Housley said. "Get your body over it, hang onto it, get to the net."
With Okposo's return, the top of Buffalo's lineup will be as healthy as it's been since early February. Jack Eichel returned from a 15-game absence due to a high-ankle sprain in the team's win over Chicago on Saturday and scored an assist.
The Sabres are still without Zemgus Girgensons and Jacob Josefson at forward. Girgensons is day-to-day after sustaining an injury against Chicago, while Josefson is week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
Just as Okposo has his own goals for the rest of the season, he said the team is focused on using their remaining time to improve.
"I think you have to prove yourself every night in this league," he said. "Obviously, we're not going to make the playoffs and you can say that, 'Oh, these guys have nothing to play for.' But every night you get to play in the National Hockey League is special and you can't take that for granted because it goes by pretty quick."

Housley expects 'emotional' game on Monday

Housley spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach with Nashville, including a memorable run to the Stanley Cup Final last season. Monday night will mark his first time coaching against his former team, and he said he expects it to be an emotional experience.
"There's going to be a lot of emotions, mixed emotions," he said. "I'm just glad the game's here to start out, and it's been so far into the season it's going to be a little bit easier being in your own rink. I spent a lot of time in that organization, they gave me a start in the NHL. We sort of grew together, the players and myself as a coach."
During his tenure in Nashville, Housley was credited with assisting in the development of defensemen such as Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Ellis. The Predators lead the NHL with 104 points this season and became the first team to clinch a playoff berth with a win over Colorado on Sunday. They've allowed a league-low 2.42 goals per game.
Okposo said he heard from players who played with or against Housley that the defenseman visibly wanted to be the best, and it didn't take him long to see those same qualities in his coach. While Housley may be calm and reserved speaking to the media, Okposo described him as "fiery" behind the scenes.
"I think he really wants to win," Okposo said. "His passion for the game is very noticeable and he really gets fired up if things aren't going the way that he wants them to. You can tell that he's one of the best defensemen of all time, just in the way that he's so fiery."

Bailey assigned to Rochester

The Sabres assigned Justin Bailey to Rochester on Sunday morning, although it may not be long before we see him back in Buffalo. Bailey is due to serve a one-game suspension in the AHL for an illegal check to the head against Syracuse last Sunday, and Housley said there's a chance he's recalled.
If he does come back, Housley said he wants to see more of the same from the young forward. Bailey skated 10:44 against Chicago on Saturday and it was his net-front presence that helped lead to Nicholas Baptiste's game-tying goal in the third period.

"He's just got to continue to do what he's doing, definitely using his speed, being a little bit heavier in the battle," Housley said. "When he's first on the forecheck, he creates a lot of things. I just liked that goal. He was down there early, getting a lot of hits. I like the way he shoots the puck. And just his wall play, dependable and being reliable and trustable in that area."

Sunday's practice

Casey Nelson was back on the ice after missing Saturday's game due to an injury and is possible to play on Monday. Here's how the full lineup looked at practice:
20 Scott Wilson - 90 Ryan O'Reilly - 23 Sam Reinhart
67 Benoit Pouliot - 15 Jack Eichel - 29 Jason Pominville
25 Seth Griffith - 71 Evan Rodrigues - 21 Kyle Okposo
17 Jordan Nolan - 22 Johan Larsson - 13 Nicholas Baptiste
6 Marco Scandella - 55 Rasmus Ristolainen
45 Brendan Guhle - 41 Justin Falk
82 Nathan Beaulieu - 93 Victor Antipin
4 Josh Gorges - 8 Casey Nelson
31 Chad Johnson
35 Linus Ullmark