Buffalo Sabres Face Penguins in Crucial Eastern Conference Clash

PITTSBURGH, PA – The Buffalo Sabres embark on a challenging series of road games, starting with a matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night at PPG Paints Arena. The Sabres, fresh off a successful four-game homestand, are looking to improve their away record, having struggled this season with only one win out of eight road games.

Currently sitting at a season points percentage of .500 at 9-9-4, Buffalo aims to build on recent momentum, winning four of their last five games. Coach Lindy Ruff emphasized the need for better performance on the road, stating, “We know that we need to pick up road wins, obviously. We’re right there in a lot of road games, but we haven’t finished the deal.”

Buffalo’s performance away from home contrasts with their 8-4-2 record at KeyBank Center. Their latest road victory came against Detroit on November 15. Despite these setbacks, they were competitive in many losses, often tied or within a goal entering the final period.

As they prepare to face Pittsburgh, the Sabres hope the recent return of players like Zach Benson and Jason Zucker, who made quick impacts since rejoining the lineup, will bolster their chances. This game carries added significance as Buffalo trails Pittsburgh by just three points in the Eastern Conference standings.

The puck drops at 7 p.m., with TV coverage on MSG and streaming options available for out-of-market viewers. Notably, goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start for the third consecutive game, showcasing his strong play with a .926 save percentage over his last two wins.

Key players will also be in the spotlight, including Tage Thompson, who is riding a six-game goal streak, and Rasmus Dahlin, who enters the game with an active four-game point streak. The Sabres have shown dominance over the Penguins in recent encounters, with a record of 3-1-1 in their last five games against them.

The Penguins enter this match looking to regain their footing after dropping five of their last six games. Despite their recent struggles, they remain just outside the playoff picture and feature an effective power play led by stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

“Both Malkin and Crosby have gotten off to a great start this year, played very well,” Ruff noted. “They’re world-elite players who know what it takes.” The stakes are high for both teams as they vie for vital points in the competitive Eastern Conference.