The Buffalo Sabres wrapped up a back-to-back series with the Penguins on Thursday night in Pittsburgh at PPG Paints Arena. For the 16th-straight game, the blue and gold were on the wrong end of the decision, this time in a 4-0 shutout loss.
General manager Kevyn Adams was at the helm for Buffalo on Thursday, as interim head coach Don Granato and assistant Matt Ellis were entered into the NHL’s COVID-19 Protocols just hours before puck drop. Adams became the third coach to lose this season, as he joined Ralph Krueger (6-18-4) and Granato (0-3-0).
The Penguins got a 1-0 edge late in the first period when rookie forward Radim Zohorna scored the first goal of his National Hockey League career in his first-ever game played.
Pittsburgh extended their lead to 2-0 just 87 seconds into the middle frame. With Dylan Cozens in the penalty box for a hooking minor taken 14 seconds into the period, Penguins forward Jared McCann was allowed to skate right down the slot and score on Sabres goalie Dustin Tokarski.
McCann struck again in the third period for the Penguins, as the forward potted his second powerplay goal of the night just seven seconds into the team's latest man advantage. Riley Sheahan could only watch from the box as the Sabres' deficit grew to 3-0 nearing the halfway mark of the final frame of regulation.
Buffalo appeared to have broken the goose egg on their side of the scoresheet later in the third, but a Pittsburgh offsides challenge negated a beautiful scoring set-up by Cozens. Victor Olofsson was the temporary beneficiary of the play.
The Penguins added much-needed insurance with an empty-net goal from forward Jake Guentzel to put the finishing touches on a 4-0 victory over the Sabres.
Pittsburgh netminder Casey DeSmith recorded his third shutout in four-career starts against Buffalo, as the blue and gold fell to 6-22-4 in 2020-21.
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GAME SUMMARY
Goal Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
PIT: 17:21 - Radim Zohorna (1) (Anthony Angello, Frederick Gaudreau)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
PIT: 1:27 - Jared McCann (6) PPG (Kris Letang, Sidney Crosby)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
PIT: 8:56 - Jared McCann (7) PPG (Kris Letang, Sidney Crosby); 18:54 - Jake Guentzel (14) ENG (Bryan Rust, Sidney Crosby)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
PIT: 7:06 - Zach Aston-Reese (Slashing - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 0:14 - Dylan Cozens (Hooking - 2 min.); 5:32 - Jacob Bryson (High-sticking - 2 min.)
PIT: 2:26 - Anthony Angello (Tripping - 2 min.); 17:03 - Sidney Crosby (High-sticking - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 8:49 - Riley Sheahan (Holding the stick - 2 min.); 10:47 - Steven Fogarty (Holding - 2 min.)
PIT: 13:59 - Mike Matheson (Slashing - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Casey DeSmith - PIT
2.) Sidney Crosby - PIT
3.) Jared McCann - PIT
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What's Next:
The blue and gold's road trip hits Boston next, as Buffalo visits TD Garden to take on the Bruins on Saturday afternoon. Puck drop is set for 1 p.m. ET with the Paul William Beltz Pregame Show starting at 12 p.m. ET with Brian Koziol on the radio home of the Sabres - WGR Sports Radio 550.