Buffalo Sabres vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction, 3/5/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026

Location: PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA

TV: Sportsnet Pittsburgh

The Buffalo Sabres (35-19-6) are en route to PPG Paints Arena on Thursday where they will try to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins (31-15-13).

The Buffalo Sabres will head into their next game feeling good after earning a 3-2 victory over the Golden Knights their last time on the ice. The Sabres played like an average offensive team in the victory. In the matchup, they earned a goal on 3 of the 28 shots they attempted. In addition, they had 1 chance with extra men on the ice but didn't net one. Buffalo earned 2 penalty minutes for this game.

Buffalo Sabres opponents have 163 power play opportunities (26th in the league) and have scored 28 goals in those attempts. The Sabres have seen 1,808 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .900. Buffalo has taken 1,679 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 12.1%. When at even strength, the Sabres have conceded 153 goals while getting 167 on the offensive side of the ice. Buffalo has tallied 180 power play opportunities and they have notched 36 goals during those chances, garnering them a percentage of 20.00%. For the current campaign, they sit with 76 points and their points percentage is .633. Pertaining to their scoring capabilities, the Buffalo Sabres have racked up 203 goals (6th in the National Hockey League) on the year and have conceded 181.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Opponents have tallied 510 goals versus Luukkonen in his career and his goals against average is 2.95. Luukkonen has taken the ice for 178 matchups during his NHL career. His save percentage sits at .899 during his 8,269 mins guarding the cage. He has an overall mark of 84-72-17 and he was named the starter in 173 games. Over the course of his career, Luukkonen has recorded 94 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .543. Luukkonen has had 5,058 shots taken against him and has accrued 4,548 total saves.

Their last time out, Pittsburgh faced off against the Bruins in a matchup where the Penguins ended up losing by a final score of 2-1. They had 4 chances on the power play in this game but weren't able to score a goal. The Penguins scored 1 goal of the 35 shots on goal they attempted.

Pittsburgh has put up 1,718 shots (11th in the league) and has a shot percentage of 11.76%, while allowing the opposition 1,607 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 84.30% on their opponents 172 power play chances, and their save percentage is 89.7%. They have a total of 157 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play rate of 26.75%. The Penguins have scored 160 goals at even strength and 42 goals (9th in the league) while having more men on the ice. They have permitted 165 goals to be scored by of a combination of 138 goals at even strength and 27 goals while they had less men on the ice. So far this year, the Pittsburgh Penguins have tallied 202 goals, 75 points, and a points percentage of .636.

Across the ice you will find Stuart Skinner patrolling the crease. He has racked up 5,170 stops out of 5,724 shots taken against him, giving him a save % of .903. Skinner has a lifetime mark of 117-66-20 and has been in goal for 211 games. He has started in 205 contests and has been on the ice for 9,312 mins. Skinner's quality start percentage comes out to 55.1% and he has accumulated 113 quality starting assignments in his pro career. Opponents are averaging 2.70 goals per contest and he has relinquished 554 goals in total.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Buffalo

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here