Two of the NHL’s top offenses are set to face off at KeyBank Center on Wednesday, as the Pittsburgh Penguins (-130) head to face the Buffalo Sabres (+110). The total is 6.5 (O: -110, U: -110)Pittsburgh (4-4-2) is playing on back-to-back days after suffering a high-scoring 6-5 overtime loss against the Bruins yesterday, their fifth consecutive defeat.
The Penguins conceded a power play goal while failing to take advantage of their own power play opportunities. Five players found the net for the Penguins. Evgeni Malkin scored and provided an assist to share the scoring lead with Brock McGinn, who had two assists. Tristan Jarry only had 34 saves on 40 shots against (.850%) in the loss.
Buffalo (6-3-0) beat the Red Wings 8-3 on Monday. Tage Thompson was the leading goal scorer for the Sabres, netting a hat trick. Eric Comrie only stopped 15 of 18 shots (.833%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Sabres won two of the three games between the teams last season, including a 4-3 (SO) victory in their final meeting in March. Thompson led Buffalo with two goals. Sidney Crosby (1G 1A), Malkin (1G 1A), and Bryan Rust (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Pittsburgh. Craig Anderson got the win despite allowing three goals on 26 shots (.884%).
FACING OFF
Pittsburgh is averaging 3.70 goals per game so far this season, fourth in the NHL, and they are taking on a Sabres team that is allowing 2.78 goals a game (8th). Meanwhile, Buffalo has found the net 4.11 times a game on average, second in the league, and the Penguins are allowing opponents to score 3.50 goals per game (23rd).
Pittsburgh averages more shots/game (37.2) than most teams in the league, ranking fourth. Buffalo’s average of 33.1 attempts ranks 12th.The Sabres’ 23.53% power play percentage ranks 12th in the league, while the Penguins are 20th with a conversion rate of 20.51%. While efficient on the power play, Pittsburgh has been less successful at penalty killing, as the away team owns the league’s fifth-lowest PK% at 70.59%. Buffalo’s 79.31% ranks 17th in the NHL.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 12 points this season, Crosby is the top skater for the Penguins. He has five goals and seven assists in 10 games. In the net, Casey DeSmith (0-2-1) is Pittsburgh’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.97 GAA and a .913% save percentage.
Jarry (4-2-0) leads the Penguins in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 3.03 and a save percentage of .915%.Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin lead the Sabres in scoring with 12 points apiece (10th in the league). Both have six goals (8th in the league) and six assists.
Anderson (3-0-0) has the best goals against average for Buffalo at 1.67, third-best in the league. He has a save percentage of .946%, also third-best. Comrie (3-3-0) has played the most games in net for the Sabres this season. He has a 3.34 GAA and a .902% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Pittsburgh has lost four in a row away from PPG Paints Arena this season. Buffalo is 3-2-0 at KeyBank Center this season. Meanwhile, the Penguins are 0-2 without a day off and 0-2 playing with a rest disadvantage.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Pittsburgh Penguins (-135)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our NHL hub page for all your hockey needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
