Pens 7, Sabres 3

Recap - The Pens trounced the lifeless Sabres last night at Mellon Arena, 7-3. Pens goals by Sykora, Kennedy, Taffe, Malkin, Minard (first NHL goal!), Letang and Gonchar. Pittsburgh was 3 of 6 on power play opportunities after going 0 for the last 18 over the last four games.

Buffalo was flat and lifeless from the opening faceoff. Their season is over and they played as if they were already playing the final game. A lack of offense and several inexperienced defensemen was the primary reason for the downfall last night. The Pens recognized this fact early in the game and took advantage, scoring the first 4 goals of the game before Buffalo managed to get 3 past Conklin in the third. But by then it was too late and Pittsburgh went on to put 3 more in the net.

Last night's win put the Pens in first in the East (for now) and was the first time in NHL history that they had ever swept Buffalo for the season.

Injury Update - Sids sore ankle doesn't apprear to be much of a threat to keep him out of the line-up for an extended period. He is planning to play Sunday against the Flyers, as is Marian Hossa.