(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Muse, top center, gives instructions during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild in Pittsburgh, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Bryan Rust and Kevin Hayes scored in the third period and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 on Wednesday night to snap a two-game losing streak.

Hayes tapped in Erik Karlsson’s pass from the top of the crease with 7:26 remaining to give Pittsburgh a 3-1 lead. Jack Quinn trimmed the deficit for Buffalo with 4:18 left, and Connor Dewar had an empty-net goal for Pittsburgh in the final minute.

Mathew Dumba also scored for Pittsburgh. The Penguins have won just three of last 10 games since an 8-2-2 start.

Karlsson had an assist to tie Brad Park for the 12th-most assists by a defenseman in NHL history with 683.

Tristan Jarry stopped 29 shots for Pittsburgh. Jarry returned after missing the last seven games with a lower-body injury.

Jason Zucker also scored for Buffalo.

Tage Thompson’s six-game goal scoring streak ended for Buffalo, which is 5-6-4 in its last 15 games. The Sabres are 1-6-2 on the road. In all of their road losses, the Sabres were tied or within a goal during the third period.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 15 saves.

Zucker briefly tied it at 1 at 7:20 of the third period, but Rust helped Pittsburgh regain the lead 29 seconds later. Rust’s initial try was blocked, he picked up the rebound, skated across the slot and put a shot between Luukkonen’s pads.

Up next

Sabres: Host New Jersey on Friday.

Penguins: At Columbus on Friday night.