At the Horn: Penguins 4 - Sabres 2

The Buffalo Sabres got within one goal of the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday but were unable to complete the comeback in a 4-2 loss at KeyBank Center.
Jake McCabe and Marcus Johansson scored for Buffalo and Jonas Johansson made 28 saves in net.

Buffalo had the game tied midway through the first and Johansson scored early in the third to cut the deficit to 3-2.
However, the Penguins sealed the deal thanks to two goals from Patric Hornqvist, one from Marcus Pettersson and another from Sidney Crosby. Evgeni Malkin recorded a pair of assists and Matt Murray stopped 28 shots for Pittsburgh.

What happened

The Penguins were credited with the game's first goal 7:56 into the opening period. Nick Bjugstad, fresh off injured reserve, crashed the net and fell into Johansson at the top of the crease. As they both tumbled, Patric Hornqvist, also down on the ice, swept a backhand into the net. Buffalo challenged the play for goaltender interference, but lost the challenge and found themselves down a man as a result.
McCabe responded quickly, capitalizing on a neutral zone turnover and scoring top shelf on a shorthanded breakaway chance at the 9:01 mark of the first. It was his second career shorthanded tally. The other came on Jan. 8, 2019 against New Jersey.
Pittsburgh reclaimed the lead when Pettersson's shot from the point beat Johansson five hole with 7:34 to play in the first. Patrick Marleau had camped out all alone in front to set up a screen.
They went up 3-1 when Hornqvist added his second goal on the power play.
Johnasson accepted a great pass in the slot from Dominik Kahun to wrist in his ninth goal of the year 1:57 into the third to make it a one-goal affair.
But Crosby scored at the 6:02 mark of the final period to regain the two-goal edge.

What it means

Buffalo is now 29-30-8 on the season and 19-11-4 at home. They've lost five in a row.
With the primary assist on Johansson's goal, Kahun has recorded three points (1+2) in his four games as a Sabre since being acquired from Pittsburgh on Feb. 24.
Buffalo's power play went 0-for-3 on the night and are now 0-for-13 over the last six games.

Roll the highlight film

Dan Dunleavy and Martin Biron had their heads shaved during the first intermission to support Bald For Bucks:

Coming up

The Sabres will be back on the road for a game Saturday night in Philadelphia. Faceoff against the Flyers is set for 7 p.m. with pregame coverage on MSG starting at 6:30.