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.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen wasn't able to bail out the Sabres when they began to make mistakes in the second period. Their starting goalie was outplayed by Penguins backup Alex Nedeljkovic, as Pittsburgh scored four consecutive goals and held on for a 5-2 win in KeyBank Center.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been on a rollercoaster this season that has had more downs than ups. They stumbled coming out of the gate, and their season looked like it was over before it even began.

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.

Power scored a power-play goal on two shots and went minus-2 in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Penguins. This was Power's first career power-play goal and his first point with the man advantage this season.

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.

Alex Nedeljkovic became the second goaltender in Pittsburgh Penguins history to score a goal during a 5-2 victory against the host Buffalo Sabres on Friday at KeyBank Center. His score came on an empty net at 17 minutes,

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.

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.

The Pittsburgh Penguins (19-20-8) remain below .500 after leaving a smoldering crater where a five-game homestand was supposed to be. However, the Penguins clicked with A-level goaltending Friday night against the Buffalo Sabres and got back on the winning track.

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.

Luc Dubois scored, Logan Thompson made 18 saves and the NHL-leading Washington Capitals beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-1 for their fourth consecutive victory.