SABRES (3-6-0) at PENGUINS (5-4-0)
TV: MSG-B, BELL TV, ROOT
Season series: The Pittsburgh Penguins swept three games from the Buffalo Sabres last season, including a 2-0 victory on the final night of the regular season that earned them a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Sidney Crosby led Pittsburgh with eight points, all assists, and Marc-Andre Fleury allowed one goal in the three victories.
Sabres team scope: Buffalo coach Dan Bylsma will be behind the bench at Consol Energy Center for the first time since being fired as Penguins coach after the 2013-14 season. "There will be emotions," Bylsma said after practice Wednesday. "I'm not going to be moved to tears, but it's going to be emotional." Forwards Tyler Ennis and Sam Reinhart skipped practice for what Bylsma said were maintenance days but was confident they'll be ready to play Thursday. Chad Johnson, whose overtime save on Tuesday gave Zemgus Girgensons the opportunity to score the winning goal in a 4-3 victory at the Philadelphia Flyers, is likely to be in goal again.
Penguins team scope: Some of Bylsma's former players are trying to downplay his return to Pittsburgh, though they admit it will be odd to see him on the other bench. "I think the first time is always a little bit different," captain Sidney Crosby said. "But I think at this point we've all kind of dealt with those kind of things before. And once you get in the game, really get into it, everything kind of becomes normal." Fleury, whose 33 saves helped the Penguins win 3-1 at the Washington Capitals on Wednesday, has played every minute in all nine games but could get the night off in the second half of a back-to-back. If that happens, backup Jeff Zatkoff would play for the first time this season. The Penguins have won five of their past six games despite being 29th in the NHL with 16 goals.
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