Sharpen Up: January 30, 2023 | Sabres return home from long road trip

The Buffalo Sabres are back at practice today and tomorrow as they get set for just one game this week.
After playing 13 games in 22 days, they'll hit a lull in the schedule that includes two games, All-Star Weekend and a bye week over the next 13 days.
The team's next game is Wednesday night against Carolina. Tickets are on sale now.
Here's what you need to know.

Last week's big story

The Sabres had a successful road trip last week, going 3-0-1 and extending their point streak to seven games.
With wins over the Stars, Blues and Jets, and an overtime loss to the Wild, the Sabres find themselves one point behind Pittsburgh for the second Wild Card spot heading into tonight's slate of games.
The Penguins are currently on their bye week.
"We know where we're at," Sabres captain Kyle Okposo said Saturday night. "It's fun to play these games, but at the same time it's, literally, you've got to win your day. That's it. Whether it's a practice day, a day off, a game day. Whatever it is. Focus on the here and now.
"You can check the standings once after the game, but you've got to just focus on yourself and what you can control because if you start looking ahead, that's when negative things start to snowball."

The games ahead

After a flurry of games in January, Buffalo has to prepare for just a single game this week.
Faceoff against the Hurricanes on Wednesday is at 7:30 p.m. Fans at home can catch the action on TNT. Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray will have the call on WGR 550.
It's also Choose Love Night and the organization will put a spotlight on the Black community and local Black-owned businesses.
Players will walk into the arena wearing "Choose Love" T-shirts and will wear custom "Choose Love" jerseys during warmups.
The warmup jerseys will be up for auction at Sabres.com/Auctions at the start of warmups at 7 p.m. that night. Proceeds from the action will benefit Persistence Preparatory Academy and Agents for Advocacy.
Warmup pucks featuring the "Choose Love" wordmark will be on sale at The Sabres Store during the game while supplies last.
Jillian Hanesworth, Buffalo's poet laureate, has written a poem that will be performed as part of a video feature to kick off the night. The poem touches on themes of unity, allyship and supporting each other all-year round.
For more details, click here.

What else to watch for this week

After Wednesday's game, the team will be off for their bye week. Their next practice won't be until February 9.

Tage Thompson, however, will be busy. He'll represent the team for the first time at All-Star Weekend in South Florida on Friday and Saturday.
Thompson is currently tied for third in the NHL in goals (34) and is fifth in points (68).
Stay tuned to Sabres.com and our official social channels for coverage of all the events and festivities.
The Skills competition is set for Friday at 7 p.m. on ESPN, and the All-Star Game will be played on Saturday at FLA Live Arena at 3 p.m. on ABC and ESPN+.