The Buffalo Sabres conclude their three-game homestand with a critical matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins at KeyBank Center on Friday, January 17, 2025. After a much-needed 4-2 victory over Carolina on Wednesday, Buffalo aims to build on their strong performance, which marked their third win in four games. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET.
This contest is a chance to break a troubling trend for the Penguins. Having dropped three straight games in regulation, Pittsburgh enters the matchup with a 1-3-3 record in January. As the postseason race intensifies, the Penguins are looking to regain their footing and stay within striking distance of a wild card spot in the Metropolitan Division.
How to Watch
- TV (Buffalo broadcast market): MSG (Pregame coverage begins at 6:30 p.m.)
- Streaming (out of market): ESPN+
- Radio: WGR 550
Sabres: New Line Combinations Spark Success
The Sabres have been making adjustments to their lineup in hopes of fine-tuning their offensive chemistry. In their last contest against the Hurricanes, head coach Lindy Ruff shuffled the forward lines and saw immediate results. Ryan McLeod was promoted to a top-line role, notched his first career hat trick, and contributed to the team’s offensive output. With six points (4+2) in his last three games, McLeod is just two goals shy of matching his career-high of 12, scored last season with the Edmonton Oilers.
As of Thursday’s practice, the Sabres are sticking with the new line combinations, which now feature McLeod centering Jason Zucker and Tage Thompson. Dylan Cozens, who has found success as a versatile playmaker, will remain between JJ Peterka and Alex Tuch.
This flexibility has paid dividends for the Sabres, who are looking to stay competitive in the Atlantic Division. Thompson, Buffalo’s leading scorer with 39 points (19+16), continues to be a central figure on offense, while the recently hot Quinn and Zucker also pose significant scoring threats.
Penguins: Injuries and Goaltending Issues
Pittsburgh, despite boasting a solid roster, has been hit with a series of challenges in recent weeks. The Penguins waived goaltender Tristan Jarry following a pair of rough outings in which he allowed six goals on 34 shots. Currently, the Penguins are rolling with Alex Nedeljkovic, who has posted a .886 save percentage, and Joel Blomqvist, whose save percentage is slightly better at .904. However, Pittsburgh’s defensive struggles have been a major factor in their inability to secure victories. The Penguins currently sit at the bottom of the league in goals allowed per game (3.67), and have given up three or more goals in each of their last seven games.
Offensively, Sidney Crosby continues to lead the Penguins, with 48 points (12+36) in 46 games. Alongside Crosby, forwards Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust are also key contributors to Pittsburgh’s attack. The Penguins’ power play ranks sixth in the league, converting at a 25.6% clip, making it an area the Sabres must be wary of.
Game Notes:
- Sabres’ Special Teams: The Sabres’ penalty kill has been particularly effective since late December, ranking fourth in the NHL with an 88% success rate. Bowen Byram has been a key contributor, logging the most shorthanded ice time on the team during this span.
- Jack Quinn’s Hot Streak: Jack Quinn has been on fire recently, scoring three goals in his last three games. The 22-year-old forward continues to show growth and development in his second season with Buffalo.
- Jason Zucker’s Return to Pittsburgh: For Jason Zucker, Friday’s game will be a special one. Zucker played four seasons for the Penguins from 2020 to 2023, contributing greatly to their forward depth during his tenure. Now with the Sabres, Zucker has accumulated five points (1+4) in his last four games against his former team, and he’ll be eager to make an impact against them once again.
Injury Report:
- Buffalo: Jiri Kulich (lower body) is not expected to play tonight. Kulich returned to practice with the team on Thursday but is likely to rejoin the lineup during Buffalo’s upcoming road trip.
- Pittsburgh: The Penguins’ injury report includes several key players, but no major changes to their lineup have been confirmed ahead of tonight’s game.
Final Thoughts:
With both teams facing crucial points in their respective playoff races, this game is shaping up to be a high-stakes battle. The Sabres are brimming with confidence after a strong showing against Carolina, and with the new line combinations clicking, they’ll look to continue their upward momentum. Meanwhile, the Penguins will need to find a way to shore up their defensive woes and get back on track if they hope to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Can the Sabres keep the momentum going, or will the Penguins find their stride? Be sure to tune in for live coverage, beginning at 6:30 p.m.