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Game #45 Preview & Open Thread: Sabres vs. Penguins

Oct 16, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) handles the puck ahead of Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) during the third period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Buffalo Sabres (17-22-5) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (18-20-8)

Puck Drop: 7:00 PM EST | KeyBank Center | Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG-B

Radio: WGR 550

Know Your Opponent

Pittsburgh Penguins

Record: 18-20-8 | 44 PTS

Last Game: 4-2 Loss vs. Seattle Kraken

Division Ranking: 7th in Metropolitan Division

PP: 25.6% (6th)

PK: 79.2% (16th)

What to Watch

1. Protect the Lead

Too many times have the Sabres blown a lead this season. Whether they have been up by multiple goals or just one, this seems to be one of the consistent monkeys on their backs. They did it as recently as their game against the Kraken – which ended in a 6-2 loss – and again in this week’s game against Carolina. While they were able to come out with a victory against the ‘Canes, Buffalo began the game with a 3-0 lead heading into the third period and made it too close for comfort as the clock wound down in the final 20 minutes. Making matters worse, this pattern is happening a lot on home ice. If Buffalo gets on the scoreboard first, they need to stop the opposition from walking all over them and into the back of UPL’s (or whoever is goaltending) net and ramp up the pressure in the opposite zone.

2. Even Steven

In terms of their records, these two teams are pretty evenly matched as both are struggling for win streaks this season. However, each team’s last few games have gone a bit differently. While the Sabres have won three out of their last four matchups, the Penguins are on a three-game skid, looking to steal back a wild card spot after a tough January so far. The latter will certainly be playing desperate tonight, so the Sabres will need to protect their home ice and not only get on the board first, but maintain momentum. One notable player that can easily make this happen is most definitely Ryan McLeod, who earned his first career hat trick against the Hurricanes on Wednesday. Head Coach Lindy Ruff slid him into the coveted top center spot over Dylan Cozens, which is much deserved. McLeod is now one away from his 100th career point.

Other honorable mentions that can help the Sabres get some pucks into the net are Rasmus Dahlin – who has 12 assists in his last 10 games – as well as Jack Quinn who, though started at a glacial offensive pace this season, has picked it up as of late with three goals in the last three games.

3. Let History Repeat Itself

In their last three games against the Penguins, the Sabres have done well with a 2-0-1 record. Buffalo has also collected at least eight points in their last 10 matchups against Pittsburgh and, as a team, has tallied over 30 shots on goal in eight successive games against the Pens – currently the longest streak in the NHL. Incidentally, the visiting team has been working through some goaltending woes, which can be another advantage for the Sabres. Tristan Jarry has been sent down to the AHL, allowing Alex Nedeljkovic to get the nod tonight. Nedeljkovic has a 7-7-0 record so far this season with a 3.40 GAA.

Projected Lineups

Buffalo Sabres

Forwards

Jason Zucker – Ryan McLeod – Tage Thompson

JJ Peterka – Dylan Cozens – Alex Tuch

Zach Benson – Peyton Krebs – Jack Quinn

Beck Malentsyn – Tyson Kozak – Sam Lafferty/Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Defense

Rasmus Dahlin – Bowen Byram

Owen Power – Henri Jokiharju

Mattias Samuelsson – Connor Clifton

Goaltenders: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (expected tonight, but did not participate in Thursday’s practice), James Reimer

Pittsburgh Penguins

Forwards

Rickard Rakell – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust

Michael Bunting – Evgeni Malkin – Cody Glass*

Drew O’Connor – Kevin Hayes – Philip Tomasino

Anthony Beauvillier – Blake Lizotte – Noel Acciari

*Glass has been day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

Defense

Marcus Pettersson – Kris Letang

Matt Grzelcyk – Erik Karlsson

Owen Pickering – P.O. Joseph

Goaltenders: Alex Nedeljkovic (confirmed), Joel Blomqvist (Tristan Jarry currently on waivers)

Talking Points