The Buffalo Sabres may have a few players that fit exactly what the Pittsburgh Penguins are looking for at the trade deadline.

The Pittsburgh Penguins hit the road as they visit the Buffalo Sabres. It is time to continue our NHL odds series with a Penguins-Sabres prediction and pick. The Pittsburgh Penguins enter the game at 18-20-8 on the year,

Pregame analysis and predictions of the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Buffalo Sabres NHL game to be played on January 17, 2025 on ESPN.

The Pittsburgh Penguins (18-20-8) tanked their recent five-game homestand, winning only once. The resulting fallout was a drop in the standings behind six teams for a playoff spot, and general manager Kyle Dubas waived starting goalie Tristan Jarry.

Absent some long winning streak, the Sabres are toast. There have been 77 winning streaks in the NHL of at least five games since the last time the Sabres won even four in a row in January 2023.

Entering a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins (18-20-8), the Buffalo Sabres (17-22-5) currently are monitoring two players on the injury report. The game starts at 7:00 PM ET on Friday, January 17 at KeyBank Center.

Prediction for the NHL-1 match between Buffalo vs Pittsburgh, which will take place on January 18th. Who will turn out to be stronger? Check the teams' conditions! Several betting options are available.

The Buffalo Sabres (17-22-5) host the Pittsburgh Penguins (18-20-8) during Friday’s NHL schedule, starting at 7:00 PM ET at KeyBank Center and broadcast on ESPN+. The Sabres rank 16th in the Eastern Conference (39 points),

On Oct. 16 in Pittsburgh the Sabres started the habit of getting and blowing leads. Buffalo had a 2-0 and 3-1 first period lead against the Penguins only to lose in overtime on a Sidney Crosby overtime goal.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are continuing to battle for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but likely will be sellers at the deadline.

JJ Peterka had two goals, while Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch and Jason Zucker totaled five points in that loss at Pittsburgh, which is five points ahead of the Sabres in the conference. Thompson, Tuch and Tucker combined for four assists and Ryan McLeod posted his first career hat trick during Buffalo's 4-2 home victory over Carolina on Wednesday.