Sabres set shootout-era record with 15th straight loss against Penguins

PITTSBURGH --The Buffalo Sabres set a shootout-era record with a 15th straight loss, 5-2 against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Wednesday.

Buffalo is 0-13-2 since Feb. 25, the longest stretch without a win since the NHL implemented the shootout in 2005-06, ending tie games. The 2009-10 Carolina Hurricanes, 2010-11 New York Islanders and 2014-15 Sabres each lost 14 consecutive games.
"I guess anybody's confidence would be affected with the scenario," Buffalo coach Don Granato said. "They did continue to push through to the end. They skated hard, so there's no question everybody's confidence goes up and down."
Sidney Crosby and Zach Aston-Reese each had a goal and an assist for the Penguins (20-11-2), who lost three of their previous four after a six-game winning streak. Tristan Jarry made 26 saves.
Pittsburgh scored six goals total in its previous three games.
"We were just trying to stay in the moment," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "We felt like we were playing a pretty solid game, and Buffalo was competing hard against us. It's just one of those situations where you try to focus in the now and not let your mind go to those types of places. We weren't really concerned.
"The dialogue on the bench was positive. Guys felt like they were generating scoring chances, and we were just trying to stay with it and score some goals."
Dustin Tokarski made 37 saves for the Sabres (6-21-4). It was his first NHL start since Dec. 21, 2015.
The teams play here again Thursday.
"Frustration has to be the first and the foremost [feeling]," Buffalo forward Curtis Lazar said. "As a team and as a whole, we have to understand playing skill-based hockey when you're in a slump is not going to cut it. ... It's on us. It's on us to right the ship here."
Evan Rodrigues tapped in a pass from Sam Lafferty near the right post to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead at 7:36 of the first period.
Rodrigues has scored twice in six games after an eight-game goal drought.
"I think guys just kind of take advantage of extra ice time, extra opportunity, and do the most they can to help the team win," Rodrigues said. "We obviously have a great leader (Crosby), and everyone follows his example."

Kris Letang made it 2-0 at 15:44 with a wrist shot, set up by a pass from Crosby that went off Sabres defenseman Colin Miller's stick.
Rasmus Dahlin cut it to 2-1 with his first goal in 21 games, a one-timer from the point at 17:17.
The Penguins outshot the Sabres 21-12 in the first period.
"We have to get back to the basics," Lazar said. " … Build a game, make the other team earn every chance they get. Right now, we're making it too easy."
John Marino scored on a one-timer from the right face-off circle to make it 3-1 at 17:29 of the second period. Aston-Reese made it 4-1 on a shorthanded breakaway at 19:36.
"I think we're being aggressive when the opportunity presents itself," Aston-Reese said. "Whenever you get the puck on the run, we're being aggressive."

Crosby scored on a breakaway for a 5-1 lead at 3:57 of the third period.
Victor Olofsson scored on a penalty shot at 14:35 for the 5-2 final.
The New Jersey Devils are the only team the Sabres have defeated since Jan. 28. They are 3-2-1 against the Devils and 0-16-2 against the rest of the MassMutual East Division in that span.
Buffalo is 0-3-0 and has been outscored 14-6 since Ralph Krueger was fired as coach March 17.
"It's tough. Obviously, we want to win," Olofsson said. "Everyone's working hard. We're not working smart all of the time. We're working hard. ... Sometimes [we] dive into a play where we shouldn't. But obviously, it's tough."
NOTES: The Winnipeg Jets hold the NHL record for most consecutive games without a win; they played 30 straight without a victory (0-23 with seven ties) from Oct. 19-Dec. 20, 1980. … Penguins forward Kasperi Kapanen is being evaluated for a lower-body injury after he took a puck off his ankle in the second period. … Sabres forward Tage Thompson was out because of an illness. … Sabres forward Rasmus Asplund did not play after the first period because of an undisclosed injury, leaving them with 10 forwards for the rest of the game. … Crosby had his 387th multipoint game in the NHL. Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joe Thornton is the only active player with more (391).