Back Home; Penguins Game 13 vs. Sabres: Lines, Notes & How to Watch

The Pittsburgh Penguins (6-6-0) face the Buffalo Sabres (7-6-1) Saturday night at home, hoping to stay on the wave they caught on their three-game trip through California.

The Penguins swept the games at San Jose, Anaheim and Los Angeles, which got them back to .500 for the first time since they were 2-2 and seemed to infuse the team with confidence.

“We needed to get a little wind in our sails,” Penguins center Lars Eller said.

The Sabres are 4-1-1 in their past six games after a 3-2 win Friday at home against Minnesota.

Penguins game time

The game starts a little after 7:30 p.m.

Penguins Preview

The only real blemish on the trip was an injury to No. 1 goaltender Tristan Jarry, who left the middle game, at Anaheim, after taking a hit to the head and, on the same play after his mask was dislodged, a puck to the face.

However, the only lingering issue seemed to be that his right eye was swollen shut. That resolved, and Jarry is scheduled to start against the Sabres, according to coach Mike Sullivan.

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Buffalo will be playing on the second night of back-to-back games.

The Sabres are getting healthier. Forward Dylan Cozens, who got hurt during a fight, returned Friday after missing two games. Forward Alex Tuch, who has an upper-body injury, is a possibility to return against the Penguins, as is defenseman Mattias Samelsson, who has missed three games because of an upper-body injury.

Buffalo figures to go with goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen after Devon Levi played Friday.

Expected Penguins lines

Jake Guentzel-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust

Reilly Smith-Evgeni Malkin-Rickard Rikell

Drew O’Connor-Lars Eller-Radim Zohorna

Matt Nieto-Noel Acciari-Jeff Carter

Defense

Ryan Graves-Kris Letang

Marcus Pettersson-Erik Karlsson

Ryan Shea-Chad Ruhwedel

Goalies

Tristan Jarry

Magnus Hellberg

Expected Buffalo Sabres lines

Jeff Skinner-Tage Thompson-Dylan Cozens

Jordan Greenway-Casey Mittlestadt-JJ Peterka

Matt Savoie-Peyton Krebs-Lukas Rousek

Zemgus Girgensons-Tyson Jost-Kyle Okposo

Defense

Rasmus Dahlin-Ryan Johnson

Owen Power-Henri Jokiharju

Connor Clifton-Erik Johnson

Goalies

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Devon Levi

Penguins Special Teams

Penguins power play: 17.1%, 22nd

Penguins penalty kill: 82.5%, 12th

Sabres power play: 11.6%, 28th

Sabres penalty kill: 85.5%, 9th

Penguins Game Notes

A win would give the Penguins their first four-game winning streak since Feb. 5-March 2 last season.

The Penguins are 10-3-1 in their past 14 games against Buffalo.

At 55.9%, the Penguins continue to lead the NHL in team faceoff percent, and captain Sidney Crosby continues to lead the league in faceoffs win, 162.

Crosby has a six-game points streak (4 goals, 5 assists) and has been held without a point just once this season.

Winger Rickard Rakell has six goals, 13 points in 17 career games against the Sabres, and, boy, could he use some offensive production after being held to no goals, three assists through the first 12 games despite some good chances.

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

Letang is two points shy of 700 for his career.

How to Watch the Game

TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh

Radio: 105.9 The X