It’s a good day for Tristan’s: Tristan Broz makes his NHL debut, bringing Ben Kindel (developmental healthy scratch, talk about an oxymoron) out. Tristan Jarry is back from the IR and starting in goal.
The visiting Buffalo Sabres are bringing the following lineup to the action:
Very low event and sleepy type of first period with barely any shots. Conor Timmins doesn’t even touch Sidney Crosby who spins around and somehow the refs call a penalty. The Penguins can’t score on the power play.
Matt Dumba spoils a 2-on-1 with Crosby by flubbing a rolling puck, but later on Dumba makes up for it by scoring his first goal with the Pens. The Buffalo defender can’t quite defend the shot and the result flutters up and into the net. 1-0 Pittsburgh.
That’s it for a quiet first, 4-3 PIT are the shots, 1-0 is the score.
The second goes back and forth. No penalties, no goals.
The Sabres get so much going early on. They catch the Penguins’ lower line players for an extended shift and then Pittsburgh ices the puck. Buffalo finally gets on the board, Jack Quinn with his sixth of the season, 1-1.
That goal serves to wake up the Penguins, they get their top line out there and good things happen. Bryan Rust is all over the puck, eventually he swings around and flings a puck low and in. 2-1 game.
Kevin Hayes gets on the board for the first time of the year, assist to Erik Karlsson with the strong centering pass. Important insurance goal there to make it 3-1.
The Sabres don’t go away, Jason Zucker passes from behind the net to find Quinn in front and he quickly shoots and puts it in. 3-2 with 4:18 to go, the Pens have a sweat going.
The Pens hold on, Buffalo eventually pulls the goalie and Danton Heinen steps up to make a great play over to Connor Dewar for the easy goal to put it away. 4-2.
One day off for Thanksgiving and then the Pens are in Columbus on Friday night.