(WGR 550) – The Buffalo Sabres close out their three-game road trip on Friday in Pittsburgh against the Penguins. Even if they lose Friday's contest, it’s been a very successful road trip.
Buffalo has wins over the Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota Wild thanks to the goaltending of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, as well as the team play that has produced results.
The Sabres didn’t have a morning skate, but all week Don Granato has been saying that both goalies would play in this back-to-back. That would give Malcolm Subban his second start as a Sabre. His first start in Carolina was not good as he allowed six goals in 49:57 before getting hurt.
Multiple reports say defenseman Casey Fitzgerald will make his NHL debut. This season in Rochester, Fitzgerald scored four goals and three assists for seven points in 21 games. In two seasons plus with the Amerks he’s played 72 games scoring nine goals and 20 assists for 29 points.
By picking up five of their last six points, the Sabres are seven points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the East’s final Wild Card spot.
Dustin Tokarski stole a win in Pittsburgh on Nov. 16 making 45 saves in a 2-1 win.
Buffalo’s penalty killing has gotten better lately going 8-for-8 in the last three games killing 10-of-11 in the last six. If we go back 10 games, the Sabres have killed 17-of-19 penalties. Buffalo stands 17th in the NHL at 80.3%.
On the other hand, Pittsburgh leads the NHL with an unbelievable kill rate of 92.7%. The Penguins haven’t given up a power play goal since Nov. 14 going 32-for-32.
The Pens have won five straight games and hold the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. Pittsburgh is solidly in fourth in the Metropolitan Division, six points behind the Washington Capitals and six points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
It’s amazing that the Pens have been winning like this without the injured Evgeni Malkin, Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust. Guentzel is Pittsburgh’s leading scorer with 15 goals and 12 assists for 27 points in 24 games. Rust has nine points in 12 games.
Sidney Crosby now has 16 games in and has 17 points.
Tristan Jarry will be in goal for the Penguins. He’s 13-5-4 with a 1.92 goals against and .934 save percentage. Jarry’s save percentage is seventh overall and his goals against is second behind Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars who has only played eight games. Jarry’s been pretty good against Buffalo going 6-2-0 with a 2.26 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.
Join Schopp and the Bulldog for pregame coverage on WGR starting at 6 p.m. EST when we’ll hear from Granato.
