Sabres meet Penguins in clash of surprising playoff hopefuls

(Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

The Buffalo Sabres will look to shake off a pair of recent divisional losses when they play host to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday.

Pittsburgh, which made the playoffs for 16 consecutive seasons from 2006-07 to 2021-22, has been absent from postseason hockey ever since. Meanwhile, the Sabres' current 14-year playoff drought is an NHL record.

A return to th