BUFFALO – The Buffalo Sabres put on a dominant display against the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 27, 2025, winning 7-3 at KeyBank Center. This victory marked the Sabres' third consecutive win, showcasing their resilience and offensive prowess as they continue to push for a playoff spot.
In a match where the Sabres were clearly the more engaged team, they capitalized on the Penguins' struggles, particularly with goalie Tristan Jarry, who allowed seven goals on just 17 shots in two starts against Buffalo this season. The Sabres wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Tage Thompson scoring just 27 seconds into the game, followed by Peyton Krebs at 4:44.
As the game unfolded, the Penguins found themselves in a familiar predicament. Sidney Crosby managed to score for Pittsburgh at 11:11, securing his 20th consecutive season of at least a point per game and breaking Wayne Gretzky's NHL record. However, this milestone was overshadowed by the Penguins' inability to keep pace with the Sabres, who responded with a barrage of goals.
By 5:20 of the second period, the Sabres had already chased Jarry from the net after goals from Jiri Kulich and Mattias Samuelsson. Kulich, who had struggled recently with only one goal in his previous 13 outings, found the back of the net again later in the period, while Tyson Kozak and Alex Tuch added to the scoreline, solidifying a commanding 7-1 lead after two periods.
“You get a game like that, and you’ve got a 3-1 lead, 4-1 lead, I thought we were still creating and still staying aggressive,” said Sabres coach Lindy Ruff. “I think that was the key.” The Sabres have often faltered after building leads this season, but this time they maintained their focus and intensity, a sign of growth according to Thompson.
“Closing out games like this illustrates a little bit of maturity,” Thompson noted. “Any time we got a lead this year, I think we just get a little too high on ourselves and start to get a little too casual.” His sentiments echoed the frustrations of a season where the Sabres have struggled to hold onto leads.
The Penguins, who finished an 0-2-1 road trip, were unable to mount a significant comeback, adding two late goals that did little to change the outcome. They had previously defeated the Sabres in their last matchup on October 16, 2024, winning 6-5 in overtime after Jarry allowed three goals. This time, however, the Penguins' defense was porous, and their offense lacked the necessary firepower to keep up.
Despite the loss, Crosby’s milestone was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing night for Pittsburgh. “I’m thankful for the guys that I’ve played with that contributed to it,” Crosby said. “It’s a special milestone but, obviously, (we) play to win.” With 80 points in 72 games this season, Crosby remains an elite player, yet his individual success cannot mask the team’s struggles.
Meanwhile, the Sabres are riding a wave of momentum, having won their last three games, including recent victories over the Western Conference-leading Winnipeg Jets and the playoff-bound Ottawa Senators. This recent success has been fueled by a potent offense, averaging 3.82 goals per game at home since January 17, 2025, and a solid defensive effort allowing only 2.82 goals per game.
Thursday's game was also notable for being Pride Night at KeyBank Center, celebrating and supporting local Pride-focused businesses, further energizing the home crowd of 16,418 fans.
The Sabres are now 5-2-3 in games where they have chased the opposing goalie, a statistic that highlights their ability to capitalize on opponents' weaknesses. “That’s a crazy stat, huh?” Tuch remarked. “I mean, that’s just maintaining focus throughout the full 60.”
With playoff aspirations on the line, Buffalo's ability to maintain focus and build on their recent success will be crucial as they look ahead to their next matchup. The Penguins, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly as they return home to face off against their next opponent on March 30, 2025.
As the season winds down, both teams find themselves at a crossroads. The Sabres are pushing for a playoff berth, while the Penguins must find a way to recover from a forgettable season. The contrast in trajectories was evident in this matchup, as Buffalo's youthful exuberance and determination triumphed over Pittsburgh's fading glory.
