The Buffalo Sabres (36-19-6, 78 points) visit the Pittsburgh Penguins (31-16-13, 75 points) in an Eastern Conference matchup. Buffalo holds second place in the Atlantic Division, while Pittsburgh is tied for second in the Metropolitan Division. The Sabres are on a four-game win streak and seek their 10th straight road victory to tie a franchise record, facing a Penguins team without captain Sidney Crosby but bolstered by strong goaltending and secondary scoring. This Original Six rivalry features Buffalo’s potent offense against Pittsburgh’s stout defense, with the Penguins holding a 2-0 edge in the season series.
Venue Location
PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET.
Injury Report
Buffalo Sabres:
- Jordan Greenway (LW): IR – Abdomen, expected out until at least Mar 8.
- Justin Danforth (RW): IR – Lower Body, expected out until at least Mar 7.
- Conor Timmins (D): IR – Leg, expected out until at least Mar 14.
Pittsburgh Penguins:
- Sidney Crosby (C): IR – Lower Body/Leg, out at least four weeks (from Olympics), expected back late March.
- Blake Lizotte (C): Day-to-day – Lower Body.
- Filip Hallander (C): IR – Leg, expected back Mar 8.
- Jack St. Ivany (D): IR – Hand.
- Caleb Jones (D): IR – Lower Body.
Key Player Matchups
This game pits Buffalo’s high-scoring forwards against Pittsburgh’s resilient defense and secondary lines, especially without Crosby. Goaltending will be crucial, with Buffalo’s road dominance testing Pittsburgh’s home strength.
- Tage Thompson (BUF, C) vs. Erik Karlsson (PIT, D): Thompson leads Buffalo with 33 goals and 64 points in 61 games, riding an eight-game point streak (5G-4A). He’ll face Karlsson, who has 5G-34A for 39 points in 55 games and a 12-game home point streak vs. Buffalo (dating to 2016).
- Alex Tuch (BUF, RW) vs. Evgeni Malkin (PIT, C): Tuch has 24G-28A for 52 points in 60 games, a pending UFA adding urgency. Malkin, with 13G-34A for 47 points in 45 games, centers a potent line and thrives without Crosby.
- Rasmus Dahlin (BUF, D) vs. Anthony Mantha (PIT, RW): Dahlin leads Sabres defensemen with 12G-41A for 53 points in 57 games, key on the power play. Mantha has 15 points (5G-10A) in 22 games vs. Buffalo, including four multi-point outings.
- Jack Quinn (BUF, RW) vs. Arturs Silovs (PIT, G): Quinn provides secondary scoring depth. Silovs (13-7-8, .902 SV%) is projected to start, with wins in four of his last five; he’ll face Buffalo’s 4.2 goals/game average.
Other notables: Ryan McLeod (BUF) vs. Egor Chinakhov (PIT) for speed matchups; Owen Power (BUF) vs. Thomas Novak (PIT) for defensive battles.
Recent Team Forms
Buffalo is 7-2-1 in their last 10, on a four-game win streak. Pittsburgh is 6-2-2, but coming off a loss.
Buffalo Sabres Last 10 Games (7-2-1, +12 goal differential):
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Mar 3 | vs VGK | W 3-2 |
| Feb 28 | @ TBL | W 7-6 OT |
| Feb 27 | vs FLA | W 3-2 |
| Feb 25 | @ NJD | W 2-1 |
| Feb 5 | vs PIT | L 2-5 |
| Jan 29 | vs LAK | W 4-1 |
| Jan 27 | @ TOR | W 7-4 |
| Jan 24 | @ NYI | W 5-0 |
| Jan 22 | @ OTT | L 2-3 OT |
| Jan 20 | vs BOS | W 4-3 SO |
Pittsburgh Penguins Last 10 Games (6-2-2, +12 goal differential):
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Mar 3 | @ BOS | L 1-2 |
| Mar 1 | vs VGK | W 5-0 |
| Feb 28 | @ NYR | L 2-3 OT |
| Feb 26 | vs NJD | W 4-1 |
| Feb 25 | vs WSH | W 3-2 SO |
| Feb 5 | @ BUF | W 5-2 |
| Jan 29 | vs CHI | W 6-2 |
| Jan 25 | @ VAN | W 3-2 |
| Jan 22 | @ EDM | W 6-2 |
| Jan 17 | vs OTT | L 2-3 OT |
Series History
The Sabres and Penguins have met 226 times (regular season and playoffs), with Pittsburgh holding a 100-80-35-11 edge. In regular season: Pittsburgh 94-76-35-11.
Recent dominance favors Pittsburgh:
- Penguins are 8-6 SU in the last 14 meetings.
- Penguins are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games vs. Sabres.
- Penguins are 5-1 SU in their last 6 home games vs. Sabres.
- This season: Pittsburgh leads 2-0 (5-2 on Feb. 5; 4-2 on Nov. 26).
Betting Trends
- Puck Line: Sabres -1.5 +213 to +225; Penguins +1.5 -266 to -265.
- Total: Games have gone over 6.5 in 29 of Buffalo’s 61 contests (48%).
- Key Trends: Penguins 4-1 SU in last 5 vs. Sabres. Under is 7-1 in Pittsburgh’s last 8 home games vs. Buffalo. Over is 4-1 in last 5 BUF-PIT matchups. Sabres 9-1 SU in last 10 road games. Penguins 6-2-2 in last 10 overall.
Game Odds
Buffalo Sabres – 115
Pittsburgh Penguins 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, March 4, 2026
