How the Buffalo Sabres fared against the Penguins in 2022-23
On the next edition of How They Fared, we take a look at the season series between the Buffalo Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
On the next edition of “How They Fared”, we take a deeper dive into the season series last year between the Buffalo Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins. These two teams saw each other three times last year and all three meetings were not too far separated apart.
The first meeting took place on November 2nd. Buffalo was 6-3-0 in October and looked to keep it rolling in November. Pittsburgh came into Buffalo with a record of 4-4-2 and they took the 1-0 lead just a few minutes in.
In the second period, they expanded their lead thanks to Josh Archibald. With less than two minutes remaining in the second period, JJ Peterka finally got the Sabres on the board. However, the Penguins regained their two goal lead just 8 seconds into the third period on the power play.
After that goal, it was all Buffalo. The Sabres scored 5 straight goals and they went on to win the game by a final score of 6-3, handing Pittsburgh their sixth straight loss. You wouldn’t have to wait long to see the Sabres and Pens face off as they played their final two meetings in December.
Buffalo Sabres lost their 2022-23 season series to the Penguins
For the final meetings, it was part of a back-to-back for both teams. The first half of the back to back took place in Buffalo once again. After a scoreless first period, Pittsburgh scored the first goal of the game thanks to a power play goal from Jake Guentzel in the second period.
As the period was winding down, the Sabres scored twice and had a 2-1 lead after the first 40 minutes. The Penguins responded with two goals of their own and took the lead back. In the dying moments of the game, Kyle Okposo forced overtime as he tied the game up on the power play.
The Sabres went on to lose the game in overtime thanks to a very dumb penalty taken by Jeff Skinner that saw him getting suspended for three games. Both teams traveled to the Steel City for the third and final meeting.
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After the first period of play, Pittsburgh had a 2-0 lead. Peyton Krebs cut their lead in half in the third period but the Penguins added on and went on to win the game 3-1. With Buffalo missing the playoffs by one point, you have to think to yourself: What if Skinner doesn’t take that penalty? Buffalo could have definitely left that second game with two points if he doesn’t take a penalty.
(Historical data provided by Hockey-Reference)