Preseason Game #5
Buffalo Sabres (3-1-0) vs Pittsburgh Penguins (2-1-1)
Puck Drop: 7:00 PM Eastern Time | Keybank Center
TV: MSG, ESPN+
Radio: WGR 550
The Buffalo Sabres will close out the 2025 preseason with a home and home series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Blue and Gold will host the Flightless Birds at Keybank Center tonight. Then they travel to the Keystone State for a matchup with them again on Friday.
Buffalo’s defensive core has been taking a hit lately. Head coach Lindy Ruff recently said defenseman Mattias Samuelsson is “possibly week to week” with an upper-body injury. That time frame keeps him out of the home opener against the New York Rangers and beyond. Meanwhile, Bowen Byram sustained an undisclosed injury during Saturday’s preseason game against Detroit and is currently day to day. Bo should be ready to face the Rags. Then just yesterday, Owen Power was a no-show on the ice. Turns out he strained something in practice and was held out. Listed as day to day.
Two players took a puck to the face recently at practice, too. (Norris and Kozak) It’s getting dangerous in Sabreland. So many tweaks and twists and wake up bombs to the face before we even get started. Not to mention Tuch and UPL, who showed up to camp unable to go from injuries sustained while training. The Hockey Gods must be chuckling amongst themselves at our misfortunes already. In the words of the great Gene Hackman, from the classic disaster film The Poseidon Adventure: (while shaking his fist to the heavens) “We didn’t ask You to fight for us. But damn it, don’t fight against us!” Let’s hope Buffalo gets by the Pens injury free, at least. And no ruptured spleens or skull fractures in these dreaded practice sessions either.
Here is the Sabres’ roster for tonight. Actual line combos and defensive pairings might be in flux:
As you can see, UPL looks to get back in action for Buffalo tonight. Hopefully he is able to deliver a solid performance. It is unknown if he gets a few periods or the whole game as of this writing.