Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

BUFFALO — Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was unhappy with Buffalo Sabres forward Peyton Krebs after Krebs buckled Penguin defenseman Kris Letang behind the Penguins net.

Crosby raced over to Krebs, who was skating away, denying him an escape route. Crosby was there with ill intent and stuck up for the fallen Letang . Earlier in the second period of the Penguins win over Buffalo in the final preseason tilt, Krebs also dished an extra-legal hit on Penguins forward Noel Acciari.

Crosby left Krebs no choice but to drop the gloves. The fight was on.

Crosby didn’t have to throw many punches, but it was a decisive victory for the Penguins center, and a clear message sent. Crosby was only a goal short of the Gordie Howe hat trick into the third period. However, the refs also gave Crosby a cross-checking minor as part of the altercation.

The Penguins scored four goals in less than nine minutes in the second period and another early in the third for a commanding 6-3 lead.

The Penguins begin the regular season on Tuesday, Oct. 10, against Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Late goal sends Panthers to Eastern Conference Finals
Ex-teammate of Shohei Ohtani placed bets with same illegal bookmaker as interpreter 
Former Rams first-round pick retires from NFL after 11 seasons
Insider provides major injury update on Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis
Watch: Bruins strike first in Game 6 with incredible backhand goal
Dodgers make series of moves involving notable players
Giants rookie CF to undergo season-ending labrum surgery
Hurricanes not expected to re-sign defenseman, center
Paul Skenes makes incredible Wrigley Field history in second-career MLB start
Maple Leafs tab former Stanley Cup winner as new head coach
NFL insider expands on competition between Steelers QBs Russell Wilson, Justin Fields
NFL sets outrageous prices for Eagles-Packers Brazil game
Scottie Scheffler shoots improbable 66 after warming up for PGA Championship in a jail cell
Nuggets star has worrying comment about latest injury
Broncos 'very unlikely' to bring back former NFL interceptions leader
Greg Olsen offers broadcasting advice to Tom Brady
Yankees' Juan Soto reacts to Hal Steinbrenner contract talk
Mets star has theory about closer Edwin Diaz's recent struggles
Scottie Scheffler arrested, still makes PGA Championship tee time
Timberwolves chew up Nuggets to force Game 7

Want more Penguins news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.