In Pittsburgh, the Buffalo Sabres found no solace in their game with the Penguins on Wednesday.
Tristan Jarry got the win for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
They got as close as 2-1 before losing 5-2.
The loss was the 15th straight for the Sabres, even with a new coach.
They are 0-13-2 in the stretch.
“I guess anybody’s confidence would be affected with the scenario,” Buffalo head 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.”
Tristan Jarry made 26 saves in the win.
“We were just trying to stay in the moment,” Penguins head 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.”
Evan Rodrigues and Kris Letang staked the Pens to a 2-0 lead in the first period.
“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.”
Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin cut the lead in half before the end of the opening frame.
“Frustration has to be the first and the foremost [feeling],” Buffalo’s 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.”
John Marino made it 3-1 in the middle frame.
Sidney Crosby and Zach Aston-Reese pushed the lead to 5-1.
“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.”
The Sabres’ Victor Olofsson was awarded a penalty shot and scored to make the final a bit more respectable at 5-2.
Dustin Tokarski made 37 saves in the loss.
“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.”
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