The push for the playoffs is heating up as the Buffalo Sabres head into PPG Paints Arena to take on the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight, Tuesday, March 5, 2026, at 7:00 PM EST. Both teams are fighting fiercely near the top of their respective divisions, making this a must-watch showdown for hockey fans. Whether you’re tuning in locally or from across the continent, here is everything you need to know about watching the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins matchup tonight.
TV Channels, Streaming Options, and Regional Blackouts Explained
Wondering what channel the game is on? For viewers in the USA, the puck drops at 7:00 PM EST, and the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, with local coverage also available on Sportsnet Pittsburgh. In Canada, hockey fans can catch the live action on Sportsnet. You can also stream the game live using platforms like FuboTV, which carries ESPN.
However, fans should be aware of regional blackouts. NHL broadcast rules dictate that local networks hold the exclusive rights to air games in their specific media markets to protect local television ratings. If you live within the immediate Pittsburgh or Buffalo local markets, the national ESPN feed might be blacked out for you, requiring you to watch on your regional sports network instead. Out-of-market fans can usually bypass these regional blackouts by streaming the game on ESPN+ or NHL Center Ice, provided the game hasn’t been exclusively restricted for a national broadcast.
Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins: 2025-26 Season Stats & Injuries
The Buffalo Sabres have been electric this season, sitting comfortably at 36-19-6. They are coming off a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights, riding a strong wave of momentum. On the other side, the Pittsburgh Penguins hold a highly respectable 31-16-13 record but are looking to bounce back after a frustrating 2-1 loss to the Boston Bruins in their last outing.
When it comes to the 2025-26 leading scorers, Tage Thompson is having an incredible year for Buffalo, pacing the team with 33 goals and 64 points, supported heavily by elite defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (12G, 41A, 53 points). For the Penguins, Sidney Crosby has been the offensive engine once again with 27 goals and 59 points, alongside Evgeni Malkin’s 47 points.
Unfortunately, key injuries will heavily impact tonight’s game. The Penguins have suffered a devastating blow, as captain Sidney Crosby has been placed on injured reserve with a leg injury and will not play tonight. Pittsburgh is also missing Filip Hallander and Jack St. Ivany. Buffalo is dealing with their own absences, including Jiri Kulich (ear) and Jordan Greenway (abdomen).
Game Prediction & Betting Odds Breakdown
The active betting odds have Buffalo as a slight road favorite at -115, with the Over/Under set at 6.5 goals. Looking at these lines, I have a very clear read on how tonight will play out. In my personal opinion, with Sidney Crosby out of the lineup, the Penguins lose a massive chunk of their offensive identity, faceoff strength, and power-play efficiency. I predict a much lower-scoring, gritty affair that comfortably hits the under. I am taking the Sabres to cover that -115 moneyline and win this one 3-2 on the road, leaning on their goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who is having a stellar season with a .908 save percentage, to shut the door late in the third period.
Wrapping Up
Finding the Buffalo Sabres on TV today is just the beginning of a massive week of hockey. Be sure to check our updated Pittsburgh Penguins TV schedule to see how the team plans to navigate the rest of March without their captain. If you want to keep track of the NHL point leaders 2025-26 season, Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon are currently running away with the top spots. Finally, don’t forget to enter our online hockey pool for cash prizes on my website, where you can put your NHL knowledge to the test against other hardcore fans!
The post Will Crosby’s Absence Doom the Penguins Against the Sabres Tonight? appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
