- Matchup: Buffalo Sabres vs Pittsburgh Penguins
- Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026
- Venue: PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA
- Broadcast: Sportsnet Pittsburgh
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The Buffalo Sabres (35-19-6) are on their way to PPG Paints Arena this Thursday, aiming to secure a win against the Pittsburgh Penguins (31-15-13).
The Buffalo Sabres enter this matchup with confidence after achieving a 3-2 win over the Golden Knights in their previous game. Although they displayed an average offensive performance, they managed to convert 3 of their 28 shots into goals. The Sabres had one power play opportunity but were unable to capitalize on it. Buffalo incurred 2 penalty minutes in this contest.
This season, the Sabres’ opponents have had 163 power play chances (ranking 26th in the NHL), converting 28 of those attempts into goals. Buffalo has faced 1,808 shots on goal, maintaining a save percentage of .900. The team’s shooting percentage stands at 12.1%, with a total of 1,679 shots taken. At even strength, they have allowed 153 goals while scoring 167 themselves. With 180 power play opportunities, Buffalo has netted 36 goals, achieving a power play percentage of 20.00%. Currently, the Sabres hold 76 points with a points percentage of .633. Over the season, they have accumulated 203 goals (6th in the NHL) and conceded 181.
In net for the Sabres will be Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who has faced 510 goals throughout his career, holding a goals-against average of 2.95. Luukkonen has participated in 178 NHL games, boasting a save percentage of .899 over 8,269 minutes of play. His career record stands at 84 wins, 72 losses, and 17 overtime losses, with 173 games as the starting goalie. He has achieved 94 quality starts, showcasing a quality start percentage of .543, while facing a total of 5,058 shots and making 4,548 saves.
On the other hand, the Pittsburgh Penguins recently encountered the Bruins, falling short with a 2-1 scoreline. They had 4 power play opportunities in that game but failed to score. The Penguins were only able to net 1 goal from 35 total shots on goal.
Pittsburgh has recorded 1,718 shots on goal (ranking 11th in the league), with a shooting percentage of 11.76%. They allowed 1,607 shots against, featuring an 84.30% penalty kill rate against opponent power plays (172 chances), and achieving a save percentage of 89.7%. The Penguins have had 157 power play opportunities, converting 42 goals (9th in the league) while on the power play. They have scored a total of 160 goals at even strength and allowed 165 goals, including 138 at even strength and 27 during shorthanded situations. The Penguins currently have 75 points and a points percentage of .636 with 202 goals this season.
Stuart Skinner will be guarding the goal for Pittsburgh, having made 5,170 saves out of 5,724 shots against him, yielding a save percentage of .903. Skinner’s overall record stands at 117-66-20 over 211 games, including starting 205 of those contests and accumulating 9,312 minutes of ice time. His quality start percentage is 55.1%, having achieved 113 quality starts in his career, during which he has allowed an average of 2.70 goals per game, totaling 554 goals conceded.
Which team will prevail in tonight’s NHL showdown, both against the spread and on the moneyline?
Josh’s: Go with Buffalo
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