20200303 Sharpen Up

It's a game night in Winnipeg.
Tonight, the Sabres will take on the Jets at MTS Centre. Faceoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. but be sure to catch the Buick Game Night pregame show starting at 7:30 on MSG. Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray will have the call on MSG and WGR 550.
Here's what you need to know.

Tonight's matchup

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From @SabresPR's Game Notes…
- Jake McCabe enters tonight's game with points in each of Buffalo's last three games, tying as the longest point streak of his career. He has previously tallied points in three straight games three times, most recently in October 2018. - During his point streak, McCabe has also led all Sabres in shots for percentage (69.39%), corsi for percentage (57.95%), and expected goals percentage (63.60%) during 5-on-5 play. (via NaturalStatTrick.com) - With career-best full-season rates in these categories this season, he ranks at or near the top among active Sabres defensemen in each metric: 51.58 SF% (1st), 50.42 CF% (2nd), 50.16 xGF% (1st).

Monday's practice

SABRES IN :50

From the Ice Level Practice Report…
Linus Ullmark was back at practice with the Buffalo Sabres on Monday for the first time since sustaining a lower-body injury on Jan. 28.
Ullmark's presence was one of two pieces of good news for the Sabres, who also had Victor Olofsson back in his usual spot on a line with Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart after the rookie winger left Saturday's game in Arizona during the second period with an apparent injury.
While Olofsson is expected to play Tuesday in Winnipeg, coach Ralph Krueger said the best case for Ullmark is to see him back sometime in the next week.
"This is the next step for him, is to see NHL shots," Krueger said. "There's only so much our rehab team can do as far as getting a goalie ready so it's important to get him in practices, have him see some shots today, see some shots tomorrow. There's no timeline here. It's the beginning of the next phase."
Ullmark's injury occurred during the third period of a loss to Ottawa at KeyBank Center. The goaltender was following the action behind his net when his left skate appeared to collide with the post, forcing him to fall awkwardly on his right leg.

AFTER PRACTICE: Krueger

Krueger said the coaching staff felt pleasantly surprised by how sharp Ullmark looked in his first practice back. Ullmark said he felt better than expected, though not 100 percent. He was particularly enthused about being back around his teammates after being separated through the first three stops of their Western Conference road trip.
"I think that's the biggest thing for me right now is just to be around the guys, socializing," he said. "When you're injured, you're kind of in your own bubble trying to work on things you need to do to get back as soon as possible so you don't really hang around with the boys anymore. So, that's one of the things that I really do enjoy doing."
Read the full report here.

Sabres Memories

Danny Gare was there when Rick Jeanneret called Pat LaFontaine's first goal as a Sabre. Here's how the memorable call originated:

Origins of the La-La-La-La-La-La-LaFontaine Goal Call