The Penguins are in dire straights following a belly-up loss to the worst team in the NHL, the San Jose Sharks Monday.

Buffalo recorded a season-high 42 shots in the loss. A rough second period, with six penalty minutes and three goals allowed, sank the Buffalo Sabres as they lost 5-2 to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday at KeyBank Center.

Alex Nedeljkovic became the first goalie in NHL history to have a goal and an assist, and made 40 saves as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-2.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen wasn't able to bail out the Sabres when they began to make mistakes in the second period. Their starting goalie was outplayed by Penguins backup Alex Nedeljkovic, as Pittsburgh scored four consecutive goals and held on for a 5-2 win in KeyBank Center.

Analyzing Friday’s Pittsburgh Penguins at Buffalo Sabres odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

Things have gone from bad to worse for the Pittsburgh Penguins. They are 2-4-0 on their current seven-game road trip. They have fallen to 15th in the Eastern Co

The Pittsburgh Penguins travel to Buffalo to face the Sabres in a pivotal Eastern Conference matchup at KeyBank Center. Welcome back to NHL Predictions here on Last Word on Hockey!

"It feels like we need a miracle for either of Terry Pegula's core teams to ever win a championship. There's not many people in this town who can vouch that this is possible, but I can," writes Harrington.

Since 2021, the Buffalo Sabres have been steadily building their prospect pool, resulting in a surplus of talented players within their system. Given their current situation, the Sabres are in a position to trade some of these assets as there isn’t enough space for all of them on the NHL roster.

The Penguins begin a seven-game road trip with a game on Friday night, Jan. 17, at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.

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The Sabres have earned at least one point in three straight games against the Penguins (2-0-1). Buffalo has earned at least one point in eight of its last 10 games against Pittsburgh (5-2-3). The Sabres have recorded more than 30 shots in eight consecutive games against the Penguins, the longest active streak against Pittsburgh of any NHL team.