Penguins at Sabres preview

The Penguins acquired the forwards in a trade with the Sabres for forward Dominik Kahun on Feb. 24. Sheary had a goal and assist in a 7-3 win against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, his first points since his return to Pittsburgh, where he played his first NHL seasons from 2015-18.

The Penguins, 1-6-0 in their past seven games after going 8-2-1 in their previous 11, are in third place in the Metropolitan Division, three points behind the Philadelphia Flyers.

Center Nick Bjugstad will be a game-time decision after missing 55 of the past 63 games because of a lower-body injury.

The Sabres, who have lost four straight after going 5-1-0 in their previous six games, have defeated Pittsburgh twice this season and look for their first season series sweep against the Penguins since 2005-06.

Players to watch

Penguins center Evgeni Malkin has 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in an 11-game point streak against Buffalo.

Sabres center Jack Eichel has nine points (six goals, three assists) in his past nine games against Pittsburgh.

They said it

"It'll be a cool experience being on the other side. Obviously, you kind of stared at the amazing things that he does when you're on his team. … But being on the other side you might not give him as much credit." -- Penguins forward Evan Rodrigues on facing Buffalo center Jack Eichel for the first time

"He's a spark plug. We think he has a strong skill set. We like his speed and his deception in the game. …. You can see his smarts. A good spirit, a good guy in the room. He's been an excellent addition here." -- Sabres coach Ralph Krueger on forward Dominik Kahun, who will play his first game against his former team since being traded

Penguins projected lineup

Jason Zucker -- Sidney Crosby -- Conor Sheary

Patrick Marleau -- Evgeni Malkin -- Bryan Rust

Jared McCann -- Nick Bjugstad -- Patric Hornqvist

Evan Rodrigues -- Teddy Blueger -- Sam Lafferty

Brian Dumoulin -- Kris Letang

Marcus Pettersson -- John Marino

Jack Johnson -- Justin Schultz

Matt Murray

Tristan Jarry

Scratched: Chad Ruhwedel, Juuso Riikola

Injured: Anthony Angello (upper body), Jake Guentzel (shoulder surgery), Zach Aston-Reese (lower body), Dominik Simon (upper body), Brandon Tanev (illness)

Sabres projected lineup

Victor Olofsson -- Jack Eichel -- Sam Reinhart

Jeff Skinner -- Curtis Lazar -- Wayne Simmonds

Jimmy Vesey -- Marcus Johansson -- Dominik Kahun

Zemgus Girgensons -- Johan Larsson -- Kyle Okposo

Lawrence Pilut -- Rasmus Ristolainen

Rasmus Dahlin -- Brandon Montour

Jake McCabe -- Henri Jokiharju

Jonas Johansson

Carter Hutton

Scratched: Michael Frolik, Colin Miller

Injured: Linus Ullmark (lower body), Tage Thompson (upper body), Vladimir Sobotka (lower body)

Status report

Tanev, a forward, will be a game-time decision.

Stat pack

Simmonds is one point from 500 in the NHL. … Crosby has 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in his past eight games against Buffalo. … Marleau needs one goal to pass Mike Modano (561) for sole possession of 25th place on the NHL all-time list.