The Pittsburgh Penguins are currently mired in a six-game winless streak, and Evgeni Malkin knows much of the responsibility will fall on the team's veterans to get them out of it.

"Everyone is looking to us, the leaders, for sure," Malkin said after Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, according to The Athletic's Josh Yohe. "I can play better. We can play better. We aren't playing perfect. I had a couple of turnovers in this game. Play smart. Play right. Try and be a leader."

The Penguins had a 3-1 advantage in Buffalo after Jake Guentzel scored just eight seconds into the final frame. However, for the second time in as many nights, Pittsburgh squandered its third-period lead: The Sabres scored five unanswered goals - including a pair of empty-netters - to add another defeat to the Penguins' growing pile.

Wednesday's meltdown furthered a concerning trend for the struggling Metropolitan side, which has only mustered a 3-1-2 record when leading after two periods so far this season.