Sharpen Up: March 6, 2022 | It's Kids Takeover Day against Los Angeles

The kids are taking over.
It's Kids Takeover Day presented by NY's 529 College Savings Program during the Buffalo Sabres' game today against the Los Angeles Kings.
Faceoff is at 1 p.m. on MSG and WGR 550. Pregeme coverage on MSG starts at 12:30. Tickets are on sale now. With the purchase of a regular-priced ticket, fans can get up to four kids tickets for just $15 each as part of a special Kids Day ticket offer.
The homestand continues tomorrow night against Florida.
Here's what you need to know.

Yesterday's practice

From the Practice Report.
Cody Eakin sustained an injury during the Sabres' victory over the Minnesota Wild on Friday but has not been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Kings, coach Don Granato announced.
Eakin did not participate in the team's practice at LECOM Harborcenter on Saturday.
"He's getting some imaging this morning that we couldn't get last night just to give us definitive what it is," Granato said. "So that was the reason for missing practice. We will know more in a couple hours. … He could be in the lineup tomorrow."
Eakin's absence came as two other forwards took steps in their recoveries from injuries. Vinnie Hinostroza continued to practice and is probable to make his return to the lineup on Sunday, Granato said. Hinostroza has been out since Jan. 17 with a lower-body injury.

Hinostroza originally returned to practice on Feb. 8 but left the session early. He rejoined the team once again on March 1.
"You're dealing with ankles, you kind of feel good and you don't really know, then you do something full speed and kind of take a step back," he said. "That's kind of what I did there. I was pretty disappointed hurting it again and having to go back and do more rehab, but I feel so much stronger now and ready to go."

Zemgus Girgensons, who has been out since Jan. 25, also practiced in a full capacity after wearing a gold non-contact sweater during the team's morning skate on Friday.
Read more here.

Today's matchup

From the Game Notes:
• This is the second and final meeting between the Sabres and Kings this season.
• Last meeting: Los Angeles defeated Buffalo 3-2 in Los Angeles on Oct. 31, 2021.
• The Sabres are 5-5-0 in their last 10 games against the Kings: 9-1-0 at home.
• This is the 129th game all-time between Buffalo and Los Angeles; Buffalo has a 63-46-19 series record.
• The Sabres are 37-17-9 at home against the Kings all-time.
• Buffalo has scored five goals in each of its last two games. A five-goal performance today would give the team three consecutive games with five or more goals for the first time since March 14 to 19, 2008.
• The last time the Sabres scored 15 or more goals in a three-game span was from Dec. 2 to 7, 2019, when the team scored seven, three and five goals, respectively, during those three contests.
• Tage Thompson has 26 points (13+13) in his last 25 games played, including 17 points (11+6) in his last 15 contests. o Thompson has recorded a point in each of his last four games and has recorded 26 shots on goal during his current streak.
• Thompson's nine goals since Feb. 1 tie him for ninth in the NHL during that span.
• Thompson leads all Sabres with 27 points (16+11) in 26 home games this season. o Thompson has recorded at least a point in nine of his last 10 games at home, tallying 15 points (8+7) during that span.
• Kyle Okposo has eight points (6+2) in his last eight contests.
• Dylan Cozens has registered four points (1+3) in his last four games.
• Casey Mittelstadt has three points (2+1) in three career games against the Kings.
• Victor Olofsson scored a goal in each of his last two games against Los Angeles.
• In five games against the Kings since joining the Sabres, Jeff Skinner has recorded five points (4+1).
• Alex Tuch has a point in each of his last three games against the Kings.
• In his last 14 games at KeyBank Center, Rasmus Dahlin has recorded 16 points (2+14). He enters today's game with at least one point in each of his last eight home contests (2+10). • Alex Tuch has recorded nine points in nine home games for the Sabres this season (3+6)

Kids Takeover Day

The Buffalo Sabres will celebrate the youngest generation of Sabres fans with Kids Takeover Day presented by NY's 529 College Savings Program during the Buffalo Sabres' home game against the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday, March 6.
Kids will be a big part of the game, and some lucky young fans will share some game-day responsibilities.

McKenzie McCann, age 12, will be the Jr. Arena Host.

Everett Bado, age 8, will be the Jr. PA Announcer.

Charlotte Whipple, age 9, will be the Jr. Reporter.

Anna Allard, age 8, and Clayton Allard, age 6, will be the Jr. Social Media Editors.
The national anthem will be sung by Grace Sullivan, age 11.
Sixth graders at Heim Middle School in Williamsville have illustrated player headshots that will be featured Sunday in-arena and on all Sabres' social platforms.
Click here to view those portraits.
Fans attending the game should arrive early to partake in a number of family-friendly activities. The first 2,000 kids at the game will receive a puck bank.
Braid Babes will be on site and fans can also have their faces painted, have a caricature made, play giant Tic-Tac-Toe and Jenga, and meet Elsa and Spider-Man. DJ Milk will be in the concourse with Rick the Team Dog, who will be ready to pose for photos.
Click here for more details.