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Buffalo Sabres Hit with Bad News as Player Exits Prior Game vs. the Penguins
Photo credit: Pittsburgh Hockey Now
The Pittsburgh Penguins are in action in a crucial matchup against the Buffalo Sabres, and they just got an advantage with the exit of one of Buffalo's top players.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are in about as precarious a position as they could possibly be in, finding themselves in need of every possible point they can pick up to avoid a 3rd straight year outside of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Tonight, they face off against the struggling Buffalo Sabres, who have all but officially been eliminated from playoff contention. And ahead of the matchup, the Sabres announced a lineup change that plays in Pittsburgh's favor.
Veteran forward Jason Zucker will be unavailable for the Sabres tonight against the Penguins; he also missed practice.
According to journalist Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News, Zucker's absence isn't due to injury but because he is tending to a personal family matter.
Jason Zucker won't play tonight because he's dealing with a family matter, said Sabres coach Lindy Ruff.
Zucker should be ready to return Saturday in Philadelphia.
Lafferty may still be out. Dunne would draw into the lineup.
Zucker should be ready to return Saturday in Philadelphia.
Lafferty may still be out. Dunne would draw into the lineup.
With 46 points (19G, 27A) in 62 games, Zucker is Buffalo's 5th leading scorer behind Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, JJ Peterka and Alex Tuch.
Despite being in 7th place in the Metropolitan Division with a total of 69 points, the Penguins remain just 6 total points outside of the final Wild Card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
They're not mathematically eliminated, but they'll need to put together a lengthy winning streak combined with hoping for some outside help.
A win tonight against the Sabres would go a long way in furthering that goal.
| POLL | ||
MARS 27 | 104 ANSWERS Buffalo Sabres Hit with Bad News as Player Exits Prior Game vs. the Penguins Can the Penguins pick up a critical pair of points in the standings tonight against the Sabres? | ||
| Yes | 26 | 25 % |
| No | 78 | 75 % |
| List of polls | ||