20211116 Sharpen Up

The Buffalo Sabres are back in action tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Faceoff from PPG Paints Arena is set for 7 p.m. on MSG and WGR 550 with pregame coverage on MSG kicking things off at 6:30.
Here's what you need to know.

Yesterday's practice

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      Monday's Practice Report

      We have some injury updates from head coach Don Granato. From Sabres.com's Practice Report by Jourdon LaBarber:
      Buffalo Sabres forward Casey Mittelstadt is progressing in his rehab from an upper-body injury and could be the closest of the team's injured players to a return, coach Don Granato said Monday.
      "He's still progressing, which is good news," Granato said. "That might mean it's less than a couple of weeks or around there if he continues to progress. But with the type of injury he has, we still need to see that progression. That's a very optimistic timeline."

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          Don Granato after Monday's practice

          The Sabres have been snake bitten by injuries since Mittelstadt and defenseman Henri Jokiharju both were forced to exit during the team's opener on Oct. 14. Mittelstadt was projected to begin the season with top-line center duties; Jokiharju skated on the top defense pair with Rasmus Dahlin.
          The team is also currently without starting goaltender Craig Anderson and leading goal scorer Victor Olofsson.
          Read the full story here.

          The team recalled forward Brett Murray from the Rochester Americans after practice. Olofsson was placed on injured reserve.

          Tonight's matchup

          20211116 Sabres Penguins Game Night Mediawall LECOM 01

          From the Game Notes, courtesy of Sabres PR:
          - With a goal and an assist Saturday against Toronto, Tage Thompson now has three goals in his last five games and five points (3+2) in his last six games.

          #

          Pride Game tonight

          pride

          The Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins will celebrate the LGBTQ+ community as they co-host the NHL's second joint Pride Game tonight.
          The Penguins and Sabres' Pride Game aims to bring together two cities to celebrate LGBTQ+ communities by sharing stories of inclusion, hope and allyship.
          Players from both teams will tape their sticks for pre-game warmups with rainbow tape and take the ice wearing commemorative pride warm-up jerseys that feature Progress Pride Flag and Pride Game shoulder patches. Pucks used in pre-game warm-ups will also have a distinct colorful design.
          The Penguins and Sabres will co-host an online auction featuring autographed Pride jerseys, Pride Tape sticks and nameplates. The auction kicks off today and runs through November 23 at noon.
          View the auction here.
          A portion of the proceeds will benefit three local Pride organizations: GLYS Western New York, Pride Center of Western New York and Niagara Pride. All three organizations have been offered complimentary tickets to the game, courtesy of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.
          The Penguins Foundation will also host fundraising opportunities on the concourse during the Pride Game, including the sale of warm-up pucks, Progress Pride Flag patches, Pride Game shirts and UNRL rainbow hats from Jason Zucker's Give16 campaign. All fans attending the Pride Game will receive a commemorative Pride Game rally towel courtesy of Highmark.
          For more information on Pittsburgh and Buffalo's Pride Game, click here.

          Luukkonen recognized for strong week

          Rochester Americans goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been named the American Hockey League Player of the Week for the period ending November 14.
          Luukkonen made three starts last week and faced a total of 117 shots, allowing only five goals
          (1.68, .957) and recording the first shutout of his AHL career.

          He turned aside 41 shots in the Amerks' 5-1 win at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Wednesday, followed that up with 39 saves against Cleveland on Friday, and shut out the Monsters with 32 saves Saturday night.
          Luukkonen has a 1.77 goals-against average and a .949 save percentage so far during the month of November.