Hockey

Penguins Struggle in 5-1 Loss to Sabres Amid Trade Rumors

by
William Caldwell
March 6, 2026

The Pittsburgh Penguins faced a disappointing defeat against the Buffalo Sabres, falling 5-1 in a game that quickly slipped away after a competitive start. The turning point came when Evgeni Malkin was ejected following a confrontation with Buffalo defender Rasmus Dahlin. Without their star players able to drive the offense, the Penguins found themselves unable to recover as the Sabres capitalized on their mistakes, pulling away for a convincing victory.

In a bit of positive news for Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby has resumed skating as he works his way back from a lower-body injury sustained during the Olympics. Although he has not yet returned to full practice, his progress is closely monitored as the team navigates a challenging stretch.

As the Penguins approach the final weeks of the regular season, they face several pressing issues. The absence of Crosby has impacted their ability to win faceoffs, and questions loom over Malkin’s future with the team. Additionally, a grueling March schedule lies ahead, one that could significantly influence their playoff aspirations. The urgency to address these matters intensifies as the season winds down.

In other league news, Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon has agreed to sell a 12.5% stake in the team, valuing the franchise at $2.66 billion, according to a report from Sportico.

Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs made a move by trading center Nicolas Roy to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a conditional first-round pick in the 2027 draft and a fifth-round pick in the 2026 draft.

In a separate transaction, St. Louis Blues defender Colton Parayko has opted not to waive his no-trade clause for a proposed trade to the Buffalo Sabres, despite the Blues having reached an agreement with Buffalo earlier this week.

For those following the latest developments, the NHL trade tracker is available for up-to-date information on all trades.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.