Buffalo fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins (20-11-2) Wednesday night 5-2, marking the longest losing streak in franchise history— 15 games straight.
Prior to the match, the Sabres (6-21-4) announced Tage Thompson was scratched due to illness and goaltender Michael Houser was recalled from taxi squad, with Carter Hutton also being scratched.
Kyle Okposo was placed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury. Dustin Tokarski started in net — who had not started in an NHL game since December 2015 — and made 37 saves.
Evan Rodrigues went over the stick of Colin Miller, getting the Penguins the head start on the board at 7:36 into the first period. Kris Letang got ahold of the loose puck, shooting past Tokarski bring the Penguins up, 2-0. Rasmus Dahlin got Buffalo on the board just before the end of the first period at 17:17 — his second of the season.
Bombs away! 💥#LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/ijkgReRlVk
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 25, 2021
Rasmus Asplund did not return to the game following a high hit in the first period. He is now the ninth Sabres player added to a growing injury list.
John Marino made it 3-1 at 17:29 in the second period, as the Sabres struggled to get the puck out of their zone. The Penguins momentum didn’t stop there, Zachary Ashton-Reese earned a short handed goal just 24 second before the end of the period.
B-E-A-UTIFUL
— NHL (@NHL) March 25, 2021
What an 🍎 from Frederick Gaudreau!
🇺🇸: https://t.co/m6CB4B3IVS @NHLonNBCSports #WNH pic.twitter.com/S8LsjL41ND
Sidney Crosby topped off the score off a breakaway at 3:57 into the final period. Victor Olofsson was awarded a penalty shot, scoring his ninth of the season, bringing the final score to 5-2.
The last time Buffalo won a game was February 23rd against the New Jersey Devils. They were 0-for-3 on the power play Wednesday night, bringing the team to a 0-for-24 skid.
The two teams will meet again at PPG Paints arena Thursday night at 7 p.m.