Sabres lose preseason finale 3-1 to Pittsburgh

Buffalo, Ny. - The Buffalo Sabres finished the preseason schedule with a 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday afternoon at Keybank Center.

Sidney Crosby converted in the offensive zone with just the second shot of the game for Pittsburgh to give the team a 1-0 lead in the first period. The goal came just after the Sabres the first power play chance of the game. Crosby's goal was assisted by Tommy Novak and Declan Carlile.

Pittsburgh doubled the lead several minutes later on a goal by Ville Koivunen. Hendrix Lapierre and Bryan Rust were credited with the assists on the goal that made it 2-0 in favor of the Penguins.

The Sabres outshot Pittsburgh 11-9 in the first period, but trailed by two goals after the opening 20 minutes. Both teams had one power play chance in the first period and neither team was able to score on special teams.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made the start for Buffalo and made seven saves in the first period. He played two full periods and left the game nearly four minutes into the third, in favor of Colten Ellis.

The Penguins thought that they once again used just their second shot of a period to score. This time Evgeni Malkin was able to find a loose puck in the crease and make it 3-0 in favor of Pittsburgh. The officials initially waved off the goal but discussed it and ruled it a good goal. However, the Sabres challenged for goaltender interference and it was determined that Luukkonen was interfered with and no goal.

The Sabres were able to cut the deficit in half to 2-1 midway through the third period. Evgeni Malkin was in the penalty box for hooking when Ryan McLeod used a give-and-go play to bury a one-time shot following a return pass by Owen Power.

Power and Noah Ostlund were credited with the assists on the power play goal for Buffalo.

Pittsburgh was able to score an empty net goal to secure the two-goal victory over the Sabres. Nick Robertson picked up the empty net goal for his second of the preseason. Rickard Rakell and Trevor van Riemsdyk assisted on the final goal of the game.

Goal Summary

First Period
BUF: NONE
PIT: 9:00 - Sidney Crosby (1) (Tommy Novak, Declan Carlile). 10:56 - Ville Koivunen (Hendrix Lapierre, Bryan Rust)

Second Period
BUF: NONE
PIT: NONE

Third Period
BUF: 11:30 - Ryan McLeod (1) PPG (Owen Power, Noah Ostlund)
PIT: 18:55 - Nick Robertson (2) ENG (Rickard Rakell, Trevor van Riemsdyk)

Three Stars of the Game
1. Ryan McLeod -BUF
2. Sidney Crosby -PIT
3. Ville Koivunen -PIT

Stats of the Game