Pens extend streak to 12

Associated Press

BUFFALO, N.Y.

Marc-Andre Fleury made 34 saves to lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to their 12th straight victory, 5-2 over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night.

Alex Goligoski and Michael Rupp scored 4:34 apart in the third period to seal a victory in a game the Penguins never trailed.

Dustin Jeffrey and Arron Asham both scored first period goals for Pittsburgh, and Matt Cooke scored into an empty net.

Sidney Crosby set up Goligoski’s goal to extend his point streak to 18 games — one short of matching a career best.

The Penguins (21-8-2) maintained their lead atop the NHL standings and matched a franchise-best by winning their seventh consecutive road game.

Fleury extended his career-best win streak to 11 and hasn’t given up more than two goals in his past nine games.

Tyler Ennis and Jason Pominville scored for the Sabres (12-14-4), who dropped to 3-1-1 in their past five.

The Penguins’ victory sets up an intriguing all-Pennsylvania midseason showdown between two of the NHL’s top teams at Philadelphia on Tuesday. The Atlantic Division rivals opened play Saturday first and second in points.

Pittsburgh’s win streak is the longest in the NHL this season and second longest in team history. The Penguins won 17 straight to set the NHL record in 1993.