Winnipeg Jets Lose to the Slumping Buffalo Sabres 4-2 (Recap)
The Winnipeg Jets had a great chance to keep up the pace with the leaders of the Central Division as they faced off against the struggling Buffalo Sabres at the Canada Life Centre yesterday evening.
The Sabres came into the game on a seven-game losing streak and they only had two road wins this season, but regardless of these trends, it was not going to be an easy game for the Jets.
With Neal Pionk returning to the lineup and Blake Wheeler out with an injury, Paul Maurice and the Jets coaching staff decided to dress eleven forwards and seven defensemen.
Rasmus Dahlin scored two goals as the Buffalo Sabres snapped their losing streak with a 4-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets
In the first half of the first period, the Sabres had a powerplay and they made the Jets pay as Rasmus Dahlin made a move at the offensive zone blue line past a poke-checking, Kyle Connor, and then ripped a wicked wrist shot from the slot past Connor Hellebuyck.
Buffalo’s lead only lasted for a matter of minutes as Winnipeg was able to tie the game by capitalizing off of a Buffalo defensive zone turnover. Josh Morrissey was able to intercept the errant pass near the top of the offensive zone and he delivered a quick pass to Pierre-Luc Dubois, who kicked the puck to his stick and fired a shot past Luukkonen, all in one motion.
The second period started eerily similar to the first. Anders Bjork was able to score and give the Sabres a 2-1 lead, but then just over a minute later, Nikolaj Ehlers found the back of the net and tied the game at 2-2.
In the dying stages of the second frame, the Sabres were able to take a 3-2 lead courtesy of another goal from Dahlin.
Dahlin made a beautiful play at the point as he worked himself across the blue line with the puck. He took a fake shot that froze Evgeny Svechnikov, who was mirroring him, then with a little bit of space, he took a slap shot through traffic that found its way into the back of the net.
Jeff Skinner was then able to extend the Sabres’ lead on a two-on-one mid-way through the third period to put the Jets out of striking distance.
Skinner’s goal was the final goal of the contest as the Sabres beat the Jets 4-2. The Jets did outshoot the Sabres 36-27, but the Jets were unsuccessful on the powerplay (zero-for-three).
With this loss, the Winnipeg Jets have now dropped down to fifth place in the Central Division with 31 points from 28 games. The Jets will look to get back into the win column on Friday night when they host the Metropolitan Division leading, Washington Capitals.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: Should the Winnipeg Jets make any lineup changes for Friday’s game versus Washington? If so, what changes should they make? Leave your comments below!