Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Sabres fell flat on Wednesday evening in Pittsburgh, as the blue and gold were doubled up at PPG Paints Arena by a final score of 4-2.
The first 17-minutes of the game was the equivalent of dragging a stick through some mud -- five total shots between the two sides, struggling to get their bearings on the offensive.
Things changed, though, after a neutral zone turnover from Conor Timmins. Penguins defenseman Mathew Dumba was the beneficiary of the giveaway, and he wristed home his first goal of the season to make it 1-0 Pittsburgh.
After a scoreless middle stanza, things opened up in the third period of play. Five total goals were netted in the 20-minute interval; unfortunately three belonged to the Penguins who were able to keep a stranglehold on the end decision.
Sandwiched amidst the Pittsburgh barrage was a pair of goals from Jack Quinn, who was a bright spot in the defeat. His first of two goals tied the score at one, while his second pulled Buffalo within one (at 3-2) before a Connor Dewar empty-net goal dropped the curtain on any hopes of a comeback.
Doing the damage for the Penguins was forwards Bryan Rust, Kevin Hayes and Dewar.
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SCORING SUMMARY:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
PIT: 17:09 - Mathew Dumba (1) (Unassisted)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
PIT: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: 7:20 - Jack Quinn (6) (Ryan McLeod, Bowen Byram); 15:40 - Jack Quinn (7) (Jason Zucker, Mattias Samuelsson)
PIT: 7:51 - Bryan Rust (6) (Ryan Shea); 12:34 - Kevin Hayes (1) (Erik Karlsson, Parker Wotherspoon); 19:02 - Connor Dewar (5) ENG (Unassisted)
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Blue Star Home Services Three Stars of the Game:
1. Kevin Hayes - PIT
2. Jack Quinn - BUF
3. Tristan Jarry - PIT
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What's Next:
The blue and gold host the New Jersey Devils on Friday afternoon, November 28. Puck drop at KeyBank Center is set for 4 p.m. EST with Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray on the call.