Game #26
Buffalo Sabres (11-12-2) vs. Winnipeg Jets (18-8-0)
Puck Drop: 7:00 PM EDT | Keybank Center, Buffalo NY
TV: MSG, ESPN+
Know Your Opponent
Winnipeg Jets
Record: 18-8-0 | 36 PTS
Last Game: 4-1 loss to the Blues
Division Ranking: 2nd, Central
PP: 2nd, 30.7% (23/75 opps) [Sabres: 29th, 14.7% (11/75 opps)]
PK: 12th, 80.9% (55/68 killed) [Sabres: 15th, 80.3% (65/81 killed)]
What to Watch
1. Break the Slump
I’d written the preview for the Islanders match-up two games ago, and unfortunately this one will follow the same tack.
The losing streak is up to four games now – to include that horrendous mojo-killing home defeat against the Avs – and the Sabres are back under .500 again, much like they have been for most of the decade and a half since they last made the playoffs.
Buffalo plays the second game of a season-high five-game homestand, and if they don’t start winning some of those right away, they could once again find themselves with too much to do in the spring.
2. Jets Grounded
After an incredible start to the season the Jets have hit some turbulence. Winnipeg have lost four games in a row and are still an impressive 18-8-0. In those four games they’ve scored six times while giving up 15 goals.
The Jets are not get consistent scoring from the top six forwards, and that is their biggest weakness right now. Goalie Connor Hellebuyck is struggling and his backup is old Buffalo friend Eric Comrie, so there is a chance that if the Sabres can jump out into a big lead they might be better placed to hold on than on Tuesday night.
3. Power Play Struggling Again
Despite getting Tage Thompson back for the last few games, the Sabres’ power play continues to struggle. Buffalo has now gone six games without a special teams goal, from a total of 16 opportunities. For them to turn this streak around they are going to need to be sharper with the puck.
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Jason Zucker – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch
Zach Benson – Dylan Cozens – JJ Peterka
– Jiri Kulich – Ryan McLeod Jack Quinn
Beck Malenstyn – Ryan McLeod – Tyler Kozak
Defense
Rasmus Dahlin – Bowen Byram
Owen Power – Henri Jokiharju
Jacob Bryson – Connor Clifton
Goalies: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (projected starter), James Reimer
Winnipeg Jets
Forwards
Kyle Connor – Vladislav Namestnikov – Mark Scheifele
Cole Perfetti – Brad Lambert – Gabriel Vilardi
Nino Niederreiter – Adam Lowry – Mason Appleton
Morgan Barron – Rasmus Kupari – Alex Iafallo
Defense
Josh Morrissey – Dylan DeMelo
Haydn Fleury – Neal Pionk
Logan Stanley – Ville Heinola
Goalies: Connor Hellebuyck (projected starter), Eric Comrie