Game Preview: 03.25.21 vs. BUF

By Pittsburgh Penguins

March 25, 2021

GM 34 | MARCH 25 | 7:00 PM ET | PPG PAINTS ARENA
WATCH: ATTSN | LISTEN: 105.9 The X, Penguins Radio Network
PIT: 20 - 11 - 2 (42 pts)
BUF: 6 - 21 - 4 (16 pts)

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MATCHUP PREVIEW

The Penguins continue along their five-game homestand as they take on the Buffalo Sabres for a second-straight game at PPG Paints Arena. Pittsburgh has points in 22 of its last 24 games against Buffalo (19-2-3) dating back to October 5, 2013. During that span, the Penguins have outscored the Sabres by a 91-46 margin. Pittsburgh is 9-2-1 in its last 12 home games versus Buffalo. The Penguins have earned points in 14 of their last 19 games overall (13-5-1).
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Bet on tonight's game with BetRivers Sportsbook

QUICK HITS

Today, the Penguins conclude their fifth set of back-to-back games this season. Pittsburgh is scheduled to have nine sets of back-to-back games in 2020-21. Thus far, the Penguins are 6-2-1 in back-to-backs (5-0-0 the first night; 1-2-1 the second night).
Over the last three games, recently recalled forward Frederick Gaudreau ranks second among Pittsburgh forwards in shorthanded time-on-ice per game, averaging 2:10 minutes. The Penguins are nine-for-nine (100%) on the penalty kill in those games.
Jake Guentzel has points in eight of his last nine games (6G-4A). Going back further, he has points in 11 of his last 13 contests (6G-8A).
Zach Aston-Reese got on the board last night with a shorthanded goal, marking his seventh goal of the year in 22 games. His next goal will tie his career-high of eight set in 43 games during the 2018-19 season.
Jake Guentzel enters tonight's game with 11 power-play points (4G-7A). His next power-play point will match his career-high of 12 set during the 2017-18 season.

SID SETS SIGHTS ON 1,300 POINTS

Sidney Crosby enters tonight's game three points away from becoming just the 36th player in NHL history to record 1,300 points. Crosby would join Joe Thornton (1,521) and Alex Ovechkin (1,303) as the only active players to reach the 1,300 point mark. If he were to complete the feat tonight in his 1,017th game, Crosby would become the eighth fastest in NHL history to 1300 points.

200 GAMES FOR PETTERSSON

Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson is set to play in his 200th career NHL game tonight, 151 of which will have come in a Pittsburgh sweater. Pettersson will become the 30th player and fifth defenseman from the 2014 draft class to reach the 200 games played mark. Pettersson made his NHL debut with Anaheim on February 15, 2018 and from that date to the end of last season has seen his point total grow with each passing year.