Jiri Kulich scored twice and Tage Thompson added a goal and an assist, but the Buffalo Sabres lost 5-4 in overtime to the Pittsburgh Penguins in their final preseason game at PPG Paints Arena on Friday.
The Sabres played most of their regular NHL forwards but were missing several key defensemen. Rasmus Dahlin was given a rest day, while Owen Power, Mattias Samuelsson, and Michael Kesselring missed the game due to injuries. Both Power and Samuelsson may be ready for the regular-season opener next Thursday.
Pittsburgh used its full NHL lineup. Sidney Crosby led the Penguins with two goals, including the tying goal late in regulation and the overtime winner just nine seconds into extra time.
Alex Lyon started in net for Buffalo, making 11 saves on 13 shots over two periods. Alexandar Georgiev played the third period, stopping 14 of 16 shots.
Buffalo fell behind after an unusual first-period goal by Pittsburgh’s Philip Tomasino. After being brought down by Bowen Byram as he approached Buffalo’s net, Tomasino collided with Lyon and carried the puck across the line. The goal stood after review.
In the second period, Buffalo scored four times—two from Kulich, one from Thompson, and a power-play tally from Jason Zucker—to take a 4-2 lead into intermission. Thompson has now scored four goals in four preseason games and recorded his seventh point of exhibition play, tying Josh Norris for most on the team.
Pittsburgh responded in the third period by outshooting Buffalo 16-8 and taking advantage of two power plays. Rickard Rakell cut Buffalo’s lead to one before Crosby tied it later in regulation.
The Sabres finished their preseason schedule with a record of three wins and three losses.
Buffalo will start its regular season at home against the New York Rangers on Thursday, October 9.
