In a game that kicked off a critical seven-game road trip across the country as the Pittsburgh Penguins try to climb back into a playoff spot, they rode an efficient power play and strong goaltending on Friday while shedding some bad habits to down the Buffalo Sabres 5-2.

The Sabres are reportedly entertaining trade offers on former first-overall pick Owen Power before the March 7th deadline.

Meanwhile, Owen Power (PPG) and Zach Benson replied for the Sabres. Here's a closer look at the three most impressive Pittsburgh Penguins players from Friday night’s win over the Buffalo Sabres.

Buffalo recorded a season-high 42 shots in the loss. A rough second period, with six penalty minutes and three goals allowed, sank the Buffalo Sabres as they lost 5-2 to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday at KeyBank Center.

With the Pittsburgh Penguins finding themselves near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, general manager (GM) Kyle Dubas has to decide who to keep and let go.

The Sabres welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins to KeyBank Center Friday night. Buffalo looks to make it back to back wins this week at home as Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen gets the start in net.

The Buffalo Sabres (17-23-5) fell 5-2 to the Pittsburgh Penguins (19-20-8) on Friday night at KeyBank Center, despite a strong offensive effort that saw them outshoot Pittsburgh 42-19.

Nedeljkovic scored when he sent the puck from behind the net down the ice and into an empty net with 2:42 left in the third.

Sidney Crosby scored at 3:54 of overtime and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Utah Hockey Club 3-2. Marcus Pettersson and Erik Karlsson scored in regulation as Pittsburgh snapped a three-game losing streak.

Alex Nedeljkovic became the first goalie in NHL history to have a goal and an assist, and made 40 saves as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-2.

The Penguins fail to stay hot in California, getting outclassed in a 5-1 loss against the Ducks in Anaheim on Thursday.

Owen Power and Zach Benson scored for Buffalo ... went 1 for 4 against the Penguins.Penguins: Pittsburgh pulled three points behind Boston for the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.