Game Preview: Penguins vs. Sabres (11.11.23)

The Pittsburgh Penguins return home for one game after going 3-0 in California as they take on the Buffalo Sabres at PPG Paints Arena.

Puck drop is set for 7:30 PM.

Doors open at 6:00 PM.

This game is Military Appreciation Night, with fans in attendance receiving a Camo Wall Banner, presented by 84 Lumber.

As part of the Penguins Pledge, and in partnership with the National Aviary, Aviary experts and some of their live penguin ambassadors will visit PPG Paints Arena for tonight's game. A permanent display on the FedEx Level of PPG Paints Arena will be home to the visiting penguins and also feature footage of the National Aviary’s Penguin Point habitat for the games when the birds aren't at the arena. The National Aviary is a global leader in the conservation efforts to save endangered African Penguins from extinction. More info can be found here.

The game will be available to watch on SportsNet Pittsburgh locally, streamed via ESPN+ out-of-market, and on the radio in the Penguins app and 105.9 the X.

Team Records: PIT (6-6-0) BUF (6-6-1)

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Game Notes

Pittsburgh’s team faceoff win percentage of 55.9% leads the NHL. Sidney Crosby ranks second in the league with 162 faceoff wins, and fifth in the NHL with a 62.1% faceoff win percentage.

Erik Karlsson’s 37 points (12G-25A) and Kris Letang’s 33 points (6G-27A) against the Sabres rank first and second, respectively, among active defensemen.

Sidney Crosby found the scoresheet Thursday night in Los Angeles, notching the 557th goal in his career. In doing so, he cracked the NHL’s top-10 list of the most goals with a single franchise in league history. He is now in a three-way tie with Mike Modano (557) and Luc Robitaille (557) for ninth place.

Kris Letang enters tonight’s game two points shy of becoming just the third active, and 28th blueliner in NHL history, to record 700 points. Letang (157G-541A) is also looking to become the 10th defenseman in NHL history to record 700 points with one franchise.

Bryan Rust was the hero in Los Angeles on Thursday night, scoring the overtime winner after his initial overtime tally was waved off due to being offsides. The goal was the sixth overtime goal of his career, which helped the Penguins sweep their California road trip for the second time in franchise history, and first since 1996.97.

Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson each recorded an assist on Bryan Rust’s overtime goal in Los Angeles on Thursday night. Malkin now has 39 overtime points, which is second in NHL history behind teammate Sidney Crosby (43), while Karlsson’s 34th career overtime point put him in sole possession of first place in NHL history among defensemen.

Sidney Crosby enters tonight’s game riding a seven-game point streak (4G-5A) and has been held without a point just once in 12 games this year. His point streak is the longest by a Penguin this season, and a point tonight would give him his first streak of eight or more games since Jan. 16-Feb. 10, 2023 (9 GP, 3G-11A).

Erik Karlsson recorded two assists on Thursday night in Los Angeles, extending his point streak to four games (1G-6A). His three-game point streak is tied for the second-longest active point streak among defensemen.

Giveaway Item

Fans attending tonight's game will receive a Camo Wall Banner, presented by 84 Lumber.

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