Penguins Face Sabres in Critical Matchup Tonight

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — The Pittsburgh Penguins conclude their three-game road trip tonight against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. The matchup is pivotal for both teams as they vie for playoff positioning ahead of the NHL’s final stretch.

The Penguins enter the game with a record of 29-33-11, while the Sabres stand at 30-33-9. Historically, Pittsburgh has performed well against Buffalo, boasting a 14-5-1 record in their last 20 meetings. Notably, the Penguins have averaged three or more goals in nine of their last 11 contests versus the Sabres.

Fans can catch the action on SportsNet Pittsburgh or ESPN+, and listen via 105.9 the X or on the Penguins app. With both teams battling to gain momentum, this game carries significant implications for their outlooks as the season progresses.

Recent statistics highlight Penguins captain Sidney Crosby as a key player to watch. After notching an assist against Tampa Bay on Tuesday, he finds himself just one point away from marking his 20th point-per-game season, surpassing the previous NHL record held by Wayne Gretzky. Crosby’s current point streak spans eight games, the longest active streak in the league.

Crosby has consistently performed against the Sabres, recording at least one point in 50 of his 61 career games versus Buffalo, tallying 85 points (29 goals, 56 assists) against them—the highest among non-Metropolitan Division opponents. His recent form has been impressive, contributing 13 points in the last seven games, tying him for second among all skaters.

Also pivotal in tonight’s matchup is forward Bryan Rust, who has been on fire this season. Rust is closing in on matching his career-high total of 28 goals, currently sitting at 26. He is on a three-game goal streak and has scored five times in six games since March 13, asserting himself as a significant offensive threat.

On the defensive end, Erik Karlsson leads the Penguins’ blueliners with 50 points this season. Only Nicklas Lidstrom has more career goals among Swedish defensemen than Karlsson, who is just one goal shy of hitting the 200-goal mark.

Meanwhile, the Sabres are coming off a two-game winning streak, most recently defeating the Ottawa Senators 3-2 on Tuesday night. Buffalo’s offensive momentum may pose a challenge for the Penguins tonight.

Pittsburgh, however, has maintained a solid record against Buffalo at KeyBank Center, holding a mark of 15-3-3 in their last 21 visits. The Penguins are aiming to secure their first victory of their current road trip after an uneven start with a 0-1-1 record.

Pittsburgh’s powerhouse duo of Crosby and Evgeni Malkin holds significant weight in team performance, with the Penguins showcasing a record of 404-92-50 when both players contribute points in a game.

As both teams look to solidify their playoff aspirations, tonight’s matchup will be crucial to establishing momentum. The Penguins anticipate returning home following this trip, where they are set to host Ottawa on Sunday.