Buffalo Sabres Head Coach Lindy Ruff started his second stint with the team on Saturday night with a 7-3 win over the Pittsburg Penguins. Buffalo’s dominant lineup and J.J. Peterka’s hat trick pushed the Sabres to a convincing preseason victory over the Penguins prospect-filled roster.
Sabres Lineup Dominates Penguins
With an abbreviated preseason schedule this year, the Buffalo Sabres put an NHL-ready roster on the ice for Saturday night’s tilt against the Penguins, and it showed. The first period started slow for Buffalo as they shook off the cobwebs, but the talented Sabres roster dominated the Crosby and Malkin-less lineup for the Penguins. Goals by Sam Lafferty, Dylan Cozens, Henri Jokiharju, and Owen Power, along with Peterka’s hat trick, showed glimpses of what might be ahead for the Sabres.
Ukko Pekka Luukkonen played the entire 60 minutes giving up three goals on 18 shots in the net for Buffalo. Luukkonen is expected to be the Sabres’ number one net-minder this year after a remarkable season last year. Buffalo’s top goalie had an impressive 2.57 GAA while compiling 27 wins and five shutouts during the 2023-2024 campaign.
Penguins Lone Bright Spot
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ lone bright spot of the night came with Jesse Puljujarvi recording his own hat trick. The 26-year-old Swedish-born player is making a strong push to crack the Penguins starting lineup. He recorded four points last season.
Next Up For Buffalo
The Buffalo Sabres will host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday afternoon for their second preseason game of the year. The Sabres should be bringing a similar lineup to what they did against Pittsburgh. The Buffalo Sabres will divide the team up next week as some stay in the United States to continue the normal preseason while most of the NHL regulars will travel overseas.
Heading To Europe
The Buffalo Sabres will head to Europe this week to participate in the NHL Global Series. The team’s first stop will be in Munich, Germany for an exhibition game against Red Bull Munich on September 27. The two teams will take part in the grand opening of the 12,500-seat SAP Garden Arena. The arena will also be the home court of the German professional basketball team, Bayern Munich.
The team will then head to Prague, Czechia to start the regular season with back-to-back games against the New Jersey Devils. The last time the Sabres played a regular season game in Europe was in 2019 when they were part of the Global Series in Stockholm, Sweden. Following their trip across the pond, the Sabres return to Buffalo for their home opener against the Los Angeles Kings on October 10.
For More Great Content
Are you desiring top-tier content that covers everything? From thrilling sports and intoxicating entertainment news to gaming tips and professional betting advice, Total Apex covers it all. Delve into our no-fluff articles to stay ahead of the game with the latest sports action, uncover the hottest trends in entertainment, and get the latest scoops in the gaming industry that will take your experiences to the next level.
Finally, our betting advice will give you a decisive edge over the competition and increase your odds of beating the books. Whether you’re looking to stay updated or gain a competitive edge, Total Apex is your one-stop shop for all things compelling and relevant. Don’t forget we cover fantasy sports, too!
Check out all our sites: Total Apex Sports, Total Apex Fantasy Sports, Total Apex Entertainment, Total Apex Sports Bets, and Total Apex Gaming. Out of the ashes of obscurity will rise a beast. Always remember to respect the hustle! Follow us on Twitter/X @TotalApexSports to stay informed.
