Marc-Andre Fleury stops 31 shots, helps Penguins past Sabres, 2-1

Buffalo, N.Y. —  Pittsburgh’s Marc-Andre Fleury might not be able to explain his success in shootouts, but the numbers tell the story.

Fleury made 31 saves and stopped three more tries in the shootout, and Kris Letang scored the only goal in the tiebreaker in the Penguins’ 2-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night.

Pittsburgh improved to 6-0 in shootouts this season thanks in large part to Fleury, who has given up only one goal to 19 shooters.

Sidney Crosby, who came in having connected on all five of his shootout attempts, was denied in the second round when Buffalo goalie Patrick Lalime closed his pads quickly enough to block the try.

-- associated press