Sharpen Up: All the Sabres news you need to know on December 21, 2019

Ready for a Buffalo sports doubleheader? The Sabres face the Los Angeles Kings this afternoon at KeyBank Center. And then the Buffalo Bills take on the New England Patriots on the road.
Faceoff for the Sabres is at 1 p.m. on MSG and 930 WBEN. Tickets are on sale now. Catch the GMC Game Night pregame show at 12:30 on MSG.
Jack Eichel and Evan Rodrgiues are game-time decisions as they are both recovering from injuries.
Here's what you need to know.

Today's matchup

From @SabresPR's Game Notes…

Friday's practice

From the Ice Level Practice Report...
Buffalo Sabres coach Ralph Krueger described the status of captain Jack Eichel as day-to-day after the forward participated in practice with the team at KeyBank Center on Friday.
Eichel was ruled out with an upper-body injury prior to the start of Buffalo's game in Philadelphia on Thursday. Krueger said the situation developed while Eichel was on the ice for warmups.
The Sabres have two games remaining prior to the Christmas break, beginning with a matinee against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.
"It remains a day-to-day," Krueger said. "… He was out there practicing, and we'll make that call tomorrow."

Eichel's absence ended his point streak at 17 games, one shy of Gilbert Perreault's franchise record. He led the NHL with 31 points, 16 goals, and a plus-17 rating in that span.
"It's obviously frustrating," Eichel said. "You never want to not be on the ice with the team. I'm a competitive guy, I want to be out there every night. But I thought it was the best for me at that time."

Evan Rodrigues also practiced after taking a shot off his leg that forced him to leave the game against the Flyers in the third period. Krueger said the assessment of Rodrigues' injury on Friday was positive, but his status will also be re-evaluated Saturday morning.
Johan Larsson, who left the game in Philadelphia during the second period, remained absent with an upper-body injury. Though the injury is not considered serious, Krueger said the centerman will mess the next two games leading into the break.
"It's obviously nothing that serious but he's a tough guy," Krueger said. "He worked and tried to go through it yesterday and we found it was better to pull him."
The Sabres recalled Curtis Lazar on Friday morning to round out the 12-man forward group. Lazar stepped right into Larsson's slot centering a line with Zemgus Girgensons and Kyle Okposo, which has served as a tone-setting trio for the team all season.
Read more here.

Skills Challenge rosters announced

Rosters for the second annual Sabres Skills Challenge presented by New Era Cap have been announced.
The event will take place on Sunday, Jan. 5 at KeyBank Center. Doors will open at 9 a.m. for an alumni autograph session at 9:30. The Sabres Skills Challenge will start at 11.
Current Sabres players have been divided into two teams to compete against each other in an All-Star-style event designed for fans of all ages. Tickets are $10 and are on sale now. Net proceeds from the event will benefit the Buffalo Sabres Foundation.
Here are the rosters:
Wales Conference
Forwards
Jack Eichel
Zemgus Girgensons
Marcus Johansson
Johan Larsson
Evan Rodrigues
Conor Sheary

Defense
Henri Jokiharju
Brandon Montour
Rasmus Ristolainen
Marco Scandella

Goaltender
Linus Ullmark
Campbell Conference
Forwards
Rasmus Asplund
Kyle Okposo
Victor Olofsson
Sam Reinhart
Jeff Skinner
Jimmy Vesey

Defense
Zach Bogosian
Rasmus Dahlin
Jake McCabe
Colin Miller

Goaltender
Carter Hutton
Rosters are subject to change.
A breakdown of events and even more information can be found here.

Today in Sabres history

1975: Rick Martin scores four goals and Fred Stanfield scores three as the Sabres defeat Washington by a score of 14-2, the largest winning margin in franchise history. The Sabres roster combined for 40 points in the game, the most in team history.