Buffalo recorded a season-high 42 shots in the loss. A rough second period, with six penalty minutes and three goals allowed, sank the Buffalo Sabres as they lost 5-2 to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday at KeyBank Center.

Alex Nedeljkovic became the first goalie in NHL history to have a goal and an assist, and made 40 saves as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-2.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff swapped Ryan McLeod and Dylan Cozens atop the lineup during the win over the Hurricanes, a move that paid immediate dividends with both players scoring goals on their new lines.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen wasn't able to bail out the Sabres when they began to make mistakes in the second period. Their starting goalie was outplayed by Penguins backup Alex Nedeljkovic, as Pittsburgh scored four consecutive goals and held on for a 5-2 win in KeyBank Center.

Back on Oct. 16 in Pittsburgh, the Buffalo Sabres started the habit of blowing leads. Buffalo had a 2-0 and 3-1 first period lead against the Pittsburgh Penguins, only to lose in overtime on a Sidney Crosby overtime goal,

The Penguins begin a seven-game road trip with a game on Friday night, Jan. 17, at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.

The Pittsburgh Penguins travel to Buffalo to face the Sabres in a pivotal Eastern Conference matchup at KeyBank Center. Welcome back to NHL Predictions here on Last Word on Hockey!

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After being one of the hottest teams in the NHL following the Thanksgiving break, the Pittsburgh Penguins have crashed ... in adding young players. The Buffalo Sabres are in a similar situation ...

Pittsburgh Penguins (18-20-8, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Buffalo Sabres (17-22-5, in the Atlantic Division)Buffalo, New York; Friday, 7 p.m.BOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Penguins, on a three ...

The Sabres have earned at least one point in three straight games against the Penguins (2-0-1). Buffalo has earned at least one point in eight of its last 10 games against Pittsburgh (5-2-3). The Sabres have recorded more than 30 shots in eight consecutive games against the Penguins, the longest active streak against Pittsburgh of any NHL team.