Wed Oct 16 22:40:00 UTC 2024: ## Penguins Host Sabres in Battle for Pennsylvania Points

**Pittsburgh, PA** – The Pittsburgh Penguins will host the Buffalo Sabres on [Date] at PPG Paints Arena, marking the first meeting between the two teams this season. The game will be nationally televised on TNT and truTV, streaming on Max.

The Penguins (2-2-0, 4 points) enter the game looking to bounce back from a loss against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. Captain Sidney Crosby needs just one point to become the 10th player in NHL history to reach 1,600 career points, a milestone he could achieve against his former team.

The Sabres (1-3-0, 2 points), on the other hand, will be looking to build momentum after a much-needed 5-2 victory over the Florida Panthers in their last game. The team underwent a significant roster overhaul in the offseason, adding several new, fast-paced forwards. The early results have been mixed, but the Sabres are hoping their new-look offense will finally propel them into contention.

One key storyline to watch will be the status of Sabres forward Tage Thompson. After a breakout 2022-23 season, Thompson saw a decline in production last year, but the Sabres are counting on him to be a major factor in their success.

The physicality of the Sabres has been a notable aspect of their play this season. They currently lead the league in hits per 60 minutes, a testament to their new hard-hitting style. However, this intensity recently led to a heated altercation during practice between Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin and forward Peyton Krebs. The two players collided at full speed during a drill, resulting in a scuffle that was quickly broken up by teammates.

While the incident raised some eyebrows, both players and coach Don Granato downplayed the significance of the altercation, citing the competitive nature of their practices.

The Penguins, on the other hand, have been relatively quiet on the injury front. They are currently without Matt Nieto (knee surgery), while Blake Lizotte, Vasily Ponomarev, and Alex Nedeljkovic remain on injured reserve.

The Sabres and Penguins will face off again in Buffalo on January 17th, with the final matchup of the three-game series scheduled for March 27th.

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