Jets White Out
Fansided

Goalie Show as Winnipeg Jets Dismantle Sabres

By Kyle McCarthy

BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 7: Buffalo Sabres Goalie Robin Lehner (40) makes toe save during the New Winnipeg Jets and Buffalo Sabres NHL game on January 7, 2017, at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. (Photo by John Crouch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 7: Buffalo Sabres Goalie Robin Lehner (40) makes toe save during the New Winnipeg Jets and Buffalo Sabres NHL game on January 7, 2017, at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. (Photo by John Crouch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The two starting goalies didn’t play well. One backup didn’t fare much better. But in the end, the Winnipeg Jets had the scoring punch Buffalo was lacking. They took two points by a score of 7-4.

Now, overall numbers are skewed in the Jets favor on the powerplay. The Sabres actually kill penalties at a 90% clip at home, and Winnipeg is middle of the pack in road powerplay numbers. Predictably, Patrik Laine ripped a shot past Lehner on the man advantage. The goal was his 19th of the year and 100th career point.

Jack Eichel scored shortly thereafter on a delayed penalty, but it did not last long. Dustin Byfuglien scored nearly an identical goal to the one he had Thursday, minus the man advantage. One of my predictions came true! Unfortunately, that was the only one. Evander Kane did not score or fight. Steve Mason didn’t get pulled (but wasn’t particularly good).

Robin Lehner hasn’t shown me up yet, as he got pulled after 21 minutes and three goals. Chad Johnson allowed three more, but was better. One was in on the empty net. Steve Mason allowed four goals on  34 shots, which is, uh, uninspiring. Good thing they played him against Buffalo. But he needs to get better. Two points is two points, I always say.

Three players in this game had two goals: Kyle Connor, Nikolaj Ehlers and Jack Eichel. Good for Ehlers and Connor. Ehlers netted both of his in the second, including one on the PP. Joel Armia added the empty-netter.

Jason Pomminville and Ryan O’Reilly added goals for the Sabres, who just can’t get the rebuild on track. You have to enjoy the win, but you can’t be encouraged by Mason’s continued poor play. Also, from the broadcast, we have this gem of a quote from Tyler Myers. When asked “What makes the pairing of you and Kulikov so good”, Myers replied: Me.

White Out’s 3 Stars

  1. Kyle Connor – The rookie added an assist to his two goals, giving him 15 goals and 13 assists on the year.
  2. Nikolaj Ehlers – Personal fave used his speed well in this game, scoring those two goals. that gave him 19 on the year, tied with Laine for the team lead.
  3. Dustin Byfuglien – You know I’m gonna give Big Buff a star for making me look like one. Thanks bud.

What’s Next

The Winnipeg Jets head to Chicago this Friday to take on their division rival. I don’t even want to know what the Buffalo Sabres are going to do.

Home/Analysis