Buffalo Sabres vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Preview
The Buffalo Sabres, currently positioned at 32-18-6 in the Atlantic Division, are set to go head-to-head against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who sit at 28-15-12 in the Metropolitan Division. This highly anticipated matchup will unfold in Buffalo, New York, on Thursday evening at 7 p.m. EST.
Recent Performance
The Sabres are coming off a narrow defeat, having experienced a 4-3 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, despite a standout performance from Mattias Samuelsson, who netted two goals in that game. Buffalo has had a commendable record at home, boasting 17 wins, 7 losses, and 3 ties, contributing to their strong overall performance this season.
In terms of scoring, the Sabres rank fifth in the league, having amassed a total of 190 goals, averaging 3.4 goals per game. On the other hand, the Penguins have fared well on the road with a 15-7-5 record, and their performance this season has resulted in a +26 scoring differential, having scored 186 goals while allowing 160.
Previous Encounters
This upcoming game marks the second encounter between these two teams in the current season; their first face-off concluded with the Penguins triumphing 4-2.
Key Players
Key players to look out for include:
- Rasmus Dahlin of the Sabres, who has tallied 11 goals and 36 assists
- Alex Tuch, contributing six goals alongside three assists in his last ten outings
- Evgeni Malkin of the Penguins, standing out with 14 goals and 29 assists
- Sidney Crosby, who has registered three goals and seven assists in his last ten games
Team Form and Injuries
Both teams come into the match with strong recent form; the Sabres hold a record of 6 wins, 2 losses, and 2 ties over their last ten games, with an impressive average of four goals per game. Meanwhile, the Penguins have shown even stronger form with 7 wins, 1 loss, and 2 ties, averaging 4.6 goals per game in the same span.
The injury report indicates that both teams are currently healthy with no players listed as injured, setting the stage for a competitive game.
