Sharpen Up: December 16, 2016

The homestand wraps up tonight as the Sabres host the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center. Buffalo will look to close it out with a victory and they've been very good lately on home ice. They're currently 2-1-0 on this homestand and 5-2-1 in their last eight home games.
Kyle Okposo will play his former club for the first time ever tonight.
Here's what you need to know.

In 529 career games over nine seasons with the Islanders, Okposo racked up 139 goals and 369 points. He signed with Buffalo in the offseason as an unrestricted free agent and has impressed so far. He leads the team in both goals (with nine) and points (with 21). He's got 11 points (4+7) in his last 10 games, including three assists in Buffalo's last contest.
Zach Bogosian and Taylor Fedun both practiced yesterday. Bogosian was a full participant as he continues rehabbing from an MCL sprain. It was Fedun's first day back on the ice with his teammates (he's missed the past four games with a shoulder injury and is currently on injured reserve).
For other tidbits from yesterday's practice, check out the Ice Level Practice Report.
Brian Duff has more on how the defense has spread out their minutes recently and what impact Bogosian might have if he returns tonight:

Here are other things that our Game Notes say you should know

Eight of the last nine games between these teams in Buffalo (and 13 of the last 17 overall) have been decided by a single goal.
The Sabres enter tonight's game with a 6-3-2 record in their last 11 games, including a 5-2-1 record in their last eight home games.
Buffalo was ranked fourth in the NHL in power play percentage (22.6%), sixth in team faceoff percentage (51.6%) and ninth in goals against per game (2.57) entering play Thursday.
Matt Moulson has six points (5+1) in seven career games against the Islanders.
Brian Gionta recorded three points (2+1) in three games against the Islanders last season.
(Thanks as always to the great people at @SabresPR)

Way Beyond Blue and Gold

Yesterday, we shared a bonus scene from our Marcus Foligno-centric episode of Beyond Blue and Gold presented by New Era.
You can watch it right here, and be sure to check out some Way Beyond Blue and Gold nuggets from Duffer, who was on the video shoot. There's a great story that former Sabres captain (and Marcus' dad) Mike shares about Marcus coming back home after his first training camp with Buffalo.

Stay tuned for our next episode, which will debut on Tuesday. Before the season began, we put Dan Bylsma on a boat with Rob Ray and sent them out on a fishing trip. It went about how you'd imagine with tons of friendly ribbing.

USA Hockey is in town

The 2017 World Junior Championship kicks off north of the border on Dec. 26. National programs are beginning to evaluate their preliminary rosters and Team USA will do so right here in Buffalo.
Twenty-seven American players will attend Team USA's training camp starting today at HarborCenter. Five members of the bronze-medal winning 2016 U.S. National Junior Team, have been named to the preliminary roster for the 2017 U.S. National Junior Team. One new face is defenseman Casey Fitzgerald, a Boston College freshman and a third-round pick of the Sabres in this year's draft.
All practices are HarborCenter are open to the public.
Team USA will hold an additional camp in Oshawa, Ontario, from Dec. 20-24. The U.S. will also play pre-tournament games Dec. 21 against Switzerland at the Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa, Ontario, and Dec. 23 against the Czech Republic at the Rogers K-Rock Centre in Kingston, Ontario. The final 23-man roster is expected to be named by Dec. 24.
Buffalo will play host to the 2018 edition of the tournament next year. Information on ticket packages (including the first-ever outdoor game) can be found here.

#

On tap today

We'll have full pregame coverage today, kicking off with the morning skate. We'll let you know who is likely in and out of the lineup. Then stick around for the TOPS Game Night pregame show starting at 6:30 p.m.
If you're attending the game, don't miss out on our annual Holiday Ornament Surprise. Starting at 5 p.m., the Sabres' wives and girlfriends will begin selling the ornaments at tables at the top of the escalators of the KeyBank Center 100 Level pavilion.
With a $20 donation, fans will receive a light-up holiday ornament autographed by a Buffalo Sabres player. The ornaments will be sold gift-wrapped, keeping the player who autographed each one a surprise. The tables will remain open while supplies last.
After the game, Buffalo hits the road for a pair. They'll play the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C. tomorrow night and then get ready for a game against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.