The Pittsburgh Penguins travel to Buffalo to face the Sabres in a pivotal Eastern Conference matchup at KeyBank Center. Welcome back to NHL Predictions here on Last Word on Hockey! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for all the NHL’s games. In tonight’s game, the Penguins aim to turn recent struggles around, while the Sabres look to gain some traction in the Atlantic Division race.
Season Head-to-Head: Penguins 1-0 Sabres
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh; MSG-Buffalo; ESPN+
This game marks the second of the season between the Penguins and the Sabres. Both teams find themselves in the thick of a playoff race, making this contest crucial for points.
The Penguins are struggling. They’re on a three-game losing skid, while their starting goaltender Tristan Jarry was moved down to the AHL again. The floundering Pittsburgh team is led by captain Sidney Crosby. He has 48 points in 46 games. Behind him, Rickard Rakell has 22 goals and 38 points in 46 games. Evgeni Malkin has recently returned to the lineup, he has 33 points in 42 games. Pittsburgh’s offence has struggled recently, but it will need to find its form for the Penguins to get the win against Buffalo.
In net, Joel Blomqvist is likely to make the start. Following Tristan Jarry’s demotion to the AHL, Joel Blomqvist was brought up to play for Pittsburgh. Blomqvist filled in for Jarry at the beginning of the season as well. In eight games, Blomqvist had a 3-5 record with a .904 save percentage. With this being Jarry’s second demotion, expect Blomqvist to have a longer leash to stretch his legs in the league this time.
The Buffalo Sabres are looking to avoid a 14th straight season missing the playoffs. Unforunately for them, they’re at the bottom of the wild card race, on the outside looking in. The team is 17-22-5 due to an elongated losing streak earlier in the season. Tage Thompson leads the team in scoring with just 35 points in 39 games. Buffalo has struggled to score, although veterans like Jason Zucker and Alex Tuch have done well. Former Penguin Zucker has 33 points in 44 games, while Tuch has 32 points in 44 games behind him.
In net, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is the likely starter for Buffalo. He is 14-13-4 with an .898 save percentage. Once a highly-touted goalie prospect, Luukkonen has struggled to fully live up to his perceived potential. However, the Sabres backup is another goaltender with high potential. Devon Levi is 2-6, however, he has the potential to be a great goaltender in the league in the future. Playing against Crosby and Malkin could be good experience for the youngster if he draws into the game.
Pittsburgh is coming off three straight embarrassing losses. There is no better stage for the team to rebound than against the worst team in the Eastern Conference.
NHL Prediction: Penguins win 5-3.
Total Goals Over 7 (+180) – With the Penguins offence primed to explode, and a lacklustre defence behind them, expect some goal-scoring in this game.
Main Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire – Imagn Images
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