The Pittsburgh Penguins (3-1-2) lost for the first time in regulation this season Saturday night at CONSOL Energy Center. The Buffalo Sabres' 3-2 defeat of the Penguins was their first win in the Steel City since late December of 2009. Pittsburgh had been 8-1-1 against the Sabres in the last ten home contests, and 15-4-1 overall against the Sabres in the last 20 games.
The Sabres were led by Nathan Gerbe and Luke Adam, who each had a goal and assist. Gerbe scored in the first period, and then Thomas Vanek passed to Adam to give the Sabres a 2-0 lead with six minutes in the period.
James Neal scored early in the first period for Pittsburgh, extending his league-leading goal total to five with a wrist shot from the boards. Drew Stafford sent a shot over Marc-Andre Fleury's shoulder in the third period to give the Sabres some insurance, which they needed after Jordan Staal added the other Penguins tally several minutes later.
Pittsburgh, still playing without Sidney Crosby, was also without star Evgeni Malkin in this game.
Marc-Andre Fleury had 25 saves on 28 shots for Pittsburgh, and Jhonas Enroth of the Sabres had 29 saves on 31 shots faced.
The Penguins next travel to Winnipeg to take on the Jets at MTS Centre Monday evening at 8:30 p.m.
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