Bob Grove
@bobgrove91.bsky.social
Notes, history and opinion on the Penguins.
Pens move into the final playoff spot in the East, pending late results.
November 27, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Pens move into the final playoff spot in the East, pending late results.
Of the last 36 times Sid and Geno were both held off the scoresheet, tonight marked just the fourth time Pens won. It's only the 13th time Pens won a home game in which both were held pointless.
November 27, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Of the last 36 times Sid and Geno were both held off the scoresheet, tonight marked just the fourth time Pens won. It's only the 13th time Pens won a home game in which both were held pointless.
There were 36 faceoffs in the game tonight, fewest ever in a Pens' game since NHL began tracking them in 1997.
November 27, 2025 at 2:50 AM
There were 36 faceoffs in the game tonight, fewest ever in a Pens' game since NHL began tracking them in 1997.
Jarry very good in his return to the lineup.
November 27, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Jarry very good in his return to the lineup.
Great job by Karlsson waiting for Hayes to get in position.
November 27, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Great job by Karlsson waiting for Hayes to get in position.
Given Pens’ recent history with third-period leads getting away, this is a big period for them.
November 27, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Given Pens’ recent history with third-period leads getting away, this is a big period for them.
Really nice work by Novak there.
November 27, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Really nice work by Novak there.
Big stop by Jarry.
November 27, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Big stop by Jarry.
Thanks to Dan Potash for pointing out that tonight is the 100-year anniversary of the first NHL game by a Pittsburgh team as the Pirates won at Boston, 2-1, on 11/26/1925. Goals by Lionel Conacher and Harold Darragh.
November 27, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Thanks to Dan Potash for pointing out that tonight is the 100-year anniversary of the first NHL game by a Pittsburgh team as the Pirates won at Boston, 2-1, on 11/26/1925. Goals by Lionel Conacher and Harold Darragh.
Tonight marks just the 8th time in team history Pens had 3 or fewer shots in the first period and emerged with a lead. Last time: 1/18/18 @ LA (3 shots, led 1-0). Pens also did this @ Buffalo on 12/27/92 (3 shots, led 1-0).
November 27, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Tonight marks just the 8th time in team history Pens had 3 or fewer shots in the first period and emerged with a lead. Last time: 1/18/18 @ LA (3 shots, led 1-0). Pens also did this @ Buffalo on 12/27/92 (3 shots, led 1-0).
Took 7:36 for Sabres to get a shot.
November 27, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Took 7:36 for Sabres to get a shot.
Since entering NHL, Pens have played on Thanksgiving Eve 51 times (27-16-2 with 6 ties), missing only due to labor issues in 1994, 2012 and COVID in 2020 and simply being idle in 1977, 1999 and 2005. Only 4 times have they played this game on the road (Minn, Wash, NYI, Buff).
November 27, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Since entering NHL, Pens have played on Thanksgiving Eve 51 times (27-16-2 with 6 ties), missing only due to labor issues in 1994, 2012 and COVID in 2020 and simply being idle in 1977, 1999 and 2005. Only 4 times have they played this game on the road (Minn, Wash, NYI, Buff).
Pens are 14-0-1 the last 15 times they scored first at home against Buffalo (last regulation loss 12/8/08, 3-4). The last 32 times Pens scored first vs. Buffalo at any site, they are 29-2-1.
November 26, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Pens are 14-0-1 the last 15 times they scored first at home against Buffalo (last regulation loss 12/8/08, 3-4). The last 32 times Pens scored first vs. Buffalo at any site, they are 29-2-1.
The Sabres’ last shutout of the Pens came on 1/21/03 @ Buffalo (0-0), the last scoreless tie in Pens’ history. The Sabres have never blanked the Pens in Pittsburgh over 108 all-time games here.
November 26, 2025 at 11:54 PM
The Sabres’ last shutout of the Pens came on 1/21/03 @ Buffalo (0-0), the last scoreless tie in Pens’ history. The Sabres have never blanked the Pens in Pittsburgh over 108 all-time games here.
Pens have lost 3 of their last 5 GP against Buffalo (2-3-0) but are 8-2-0 in their last 10 home games against the Sabres.
November 26, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Pens have lost 3 of their last 5 GP against Buffalo (2-3-0) but are 8-2-0 in their last 10 home games against the Sabres.
Pens have lost only once on this date in the last 38 years (9-1-0 with 2 ties), a 1-4 home loss to Toronto in 2022.
November 26, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Pens have lost only once on this date in the last 38 years (9-1-0 with 2 ties), a 1-4 home loss to Toronto in 2022.
Pens are 5-1-0 in their last 6 Thanksgiving Eve games and 12-2-1 in their last 15.
November 26, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Pens are 5-1-0 in their last 6 Thanksgiving Eve games and 12-2-1 in their last 15.
Buffalo has not played here on Thanksgiving Eve since 1970, a 4-4 tie. Pens rallied from a 3-1 deficit, with Glen Sather scoring the GTG with 4:07 left.
November 26, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Buffalo has not played here on Thanksgiving Eve since 1970, a 4-4 tie. Pens rallied from a 3-1 deficit, with Glen Sather scoring the GTG with 4:07 left.
Sid & Geno have both dressed against the Sabres 47 times in the regular season. Buffalo has kept them both off the scoresheet 4 times.
November 26, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Sid & Geno have both dressed against the Sabres 47 times in the regular season. Buffalo has kept them both off the scoresheet 4 times.
Geno has points in 13 of his last 14 home GP against Buffalo (9-15-24).
Sid has points in 11 of his last 14 home GP against Buffalo (7-14-21).
Sid has points in 11 of his last 14 home GP against Buffalo (7-14-21).
November 26, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Geno has points in 13 of his last 14 home GP against Buffalo (9-15-24).
Sid has points in 11 of his last 14 home GP against Buffalo (7-14-21).
Sid has points in 11 of his last 14 home GP against Buffalo (7-14-21).
Pens were 0-3-5 in their first eight home games against the expansion Sabres, finally beating them here on 1/5/74 (5-2). Lowell MacDonald 2 goals, including the game-winner late in the second period.
November 26, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Pens were 0-3-5 in their first eight home games against the expansion Sabres, finally beating them here on 1/5/74 (5-2). Lowell MacDonald 2 goals, including the game-winner late in the second period.
Pens have lost 3 straight games here in Pittsburgh. Last time they lost 4 straight here: Jan. 27-Feb. 1, 2022 (0-1-3).
November 26, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Pens have lost 3 straight games here in Pittsburgh. Last time they lost 4 straight here: Jan. 27-Feb. 1, 2022 (0-1-3).
Over the last 10 games, Pens are 25-for-27 on the PK (92.6%).
November 26, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Over the last 10 games, Pens are 25-for-27 on the PK (92.6%).
Heinen is still looking for his first point since his recall from AHL, although Pens’ xGF% when he is on the ice at all strengths is 63.55. Only Geno (64.38) is better. @NatStatTrick
November 26, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Heinen is still looking for his first point since his recall from AHL, although Pens’ xGF% when he is on the ice at all strengths is 63.55. Only Geno (64.38) is better. @NatStatTrick
Buffalo has the NHL’s #1 PK (87.7%), Pens still have the #1 PP (32.0%). Pens have been killing the Sabres on the power play for a while now, going 28-for-80 (35.0%) over their last 25 GP against them.
November 26, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Buffalo has the NHL’s #1 PK (87.7%), Pens still have the #1 PP (32.0%). Pens have been killing the Sabres on the power play for a while now, going 28-for-80 (35.0%) over their last 25 GP against them.