The Buffalo Sabres (12-13-2) fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins (15-8-4), 4-3, in overtime on Friday night at KeyBank Center.
The game was tied at three late in the third period when Sabres forward Jeff Skinner crossed checked Penguins’ Jake Guentzel in the face, resulting in an ejection and a five-minute power play for Pittsburgh that carried over into the overtime period. It did not take long for the Penguins to win it as Jeff Carter scored 1:36 into overtime.
Skinner scored in the second period, extending his point streak to six games. Victor Olofsson and Kyle Okposo also found the back of the net. Casey Mittelstadt tallied three assists. Craig Anderson made his first start since November 30 and stopped 29-of-33 shots.
Buffalo finished 1-for-4 on the power play and 3-for-5 on the penalty kill.
The two teams will meet again on Saturday night in Pittsburgh at PPG Paints Arena. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].