The Penguins are playing their final preseason game tonight against the Sabres in Buffalo. Both teams look to be loading up in what will look close to their opening night lineups. The Sabres are the up and coming Eastern Conference team while the Penguins are looking to hold on to relevance. They are coming from different directions and closer to each other than they’ve been in a long time.

The Buffalo Sabres have announced the team's roster for tonight's game vs. Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/siZfKR9cef

— Sabres PR (@SabresPR) October 6, 2023

Notable to see Zach Benson on the list. He was the player taken directly before Brayden Yager in the NHL draft and I think he would have been the Penguins selection had the Sabres not nabbed him first. He has had a terrific preseason and might find his way on the opening night roster, even if only for a nine game sample.

Other notable players include Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, Jeff Skinner, Alex Touch, Dylan Cozens, and Devon Levi. So no shortage of intriguing players to tune in and watch even if it is only preseason.

As for the Penguins they are also coming strong with their lineup as well

See you tomorrow night, @BuffaloSabres. pic.twitter.com/VfQoDa9u1k

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 5, 2023

Colin White, Jansen Harkins, and Radim Zohorna are in the lineup. They seem to have a leg up in making the opening night roster. There were a chunk of forwards sent down to WB/S including:

Andreas Johnsson, Joona Koppanen Alex Nylander via waivers. Other forwards sent down were Avery Hayes, Rem Pitlick, Sam Poulin and Valtteri Puustinen.

Alex Nylander and Valtteri Puustinen were the two I thought would have a chance to stay up with the big club. I was under the impression Alex Nylander was going to get a look in the top six while the team bought time for Jake Guentzel to make his return to the lineup. Valtteri Puustinen had a decent camp and flashed the offensive and transitional skills I like to see from a depth player. His defensive work, or lack thereof, seems to be the hurdle he needs to get over to earn Mike Sullivan’s trust and a lineup spot.

As far as preseason games go this should be a decent one tonight.

Thanks for reading!

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