The Buffalo Sabres will host the Winnipeg Jets tonight at the KeyBank Center, looking to end a four-game winless streak. Both teams enter the matchup with something to prove. The Sabres (11-12-2) sit fifth in the Atlantic Division, while the Jets (18-8-0) hold second place in the Central Division but have lost seven of their last ten games.
The puck drops at 7:08 p.m. Here’s a detailed preview of what to expect.
Buffalo Sabres: Recent Performance and Players to Watch
The Sabres are coming off a crushing 5-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday, where they surrendered a 4-0 lead in the third period. Despite this setback, Buffalo has shown resilience in the past, going 7-2-0 during a successful November stretch. They’ll need a similar effort to overcome their recent struggles.
Key players to watch for Buffalo include:
- Alex Tuch: With 23 points (8 goals, 15 assists) this season, Tuch remains a critical offensive driver.
- Tage Thompson: Thompson has recorded 14 points in his last 11 home games.
- Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen: Expected to start in goal, Luukkonen boasts a .906 save percentage and will face a formidable Jets offense.
Notably, the Sabres will be without star defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, who is sidelined with back spasms. Rookie defenseman Ryan Johnson has been called up to fill the gap, while Owen Power takes over as the top blueliner on the power play.
Winnipeg Jets: Recent Form and Key Players
The Jets started the season with an incredible 15-1-0 run but have since faltered, going 3-7-0 in their last ten games. Despite their recent struggles, Winnipeg remains a dangerous opponent, ranking fourth in goals per game (3.65) and allowing the fourth-fewest goals against (2.58).
Key players for Winnipeg include:
- Kyle Connor: Leading the Jets with 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists), Connor is a constant offensive threat.
- Mark Scheifele: Tied with Connor in goals, Scheifele also brings a physical presence and strong playmaking abilities.
- Connor Hellebuyck: The reigning Vezina Trophy winner is having another stellar season, with a .927 save percentage and 15 wins.
However, the Jets will be without key contributors Nikolaj Ehlers (lower body) and Dylan Samberg (foot), forcing adjustments to their lineup.
Key Matchups and Strategic Elements
Player Matchups to Watch
- Alex Tuch vs. Connor Hellebuyck: Tuch’s ability to create high-danger scoring chances will be tested against one of the NHL’s best goaltenders.
- Owen Power vs. Mark Scheifele: Power will need to step up defensively to neutralize Scheifele’s offensive prowess, especially on the penalty kill.
Strategic Focus
- Buffalo’s Power Play Struggles: The Sabres are in a 0-for-16 slump with the man advantage, making it imperative to simplify their approach and generate traffic in front of the net.
- Winnipeg’s Goaltending and Defense: With a power-play success rate of 30.7%, the Jets are lethal with the extra man. Buffalo must stay disciplined to avoid costly penalties.
Projected Lineups and Injury Updates for Tonight’s Game – Courtesy of NHL.com
Jets projected lineup
Kyle Connor — Mark Scheifele — Gabriel Vilardi
Vladislav Namestnikov — Brad Lambert — Cole Perfetti
Nino Niederreiter — Adam Lowry — Mason Appleton
Morgan Barron — Rasmus Kupari — Alex Iafallo
Connor Hellebuyck
Scratched: Dylan Coghlan, Colin Miller
Injured: David Gustafsson (lower body), Nikolaj Ehlers (lower body)
Sabres projected lineup
Jason Zucker — Tage Thompson — Alex Tuch
Zach Benson — Dylan Cozens — JJ Peterka
Ryan McLeod — Jiri Kulich — Tyson Kozak
Beck Malenstyn — Peyton Krebs — Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Owen Power — Henri Jokiharju
Dennis Gilbert — Connor Clifton
Scratched: Jack Quinn, Ryan Johnson
Injured: Rasmus Dahlin (back spasms), Sam Lafferty (lower body), Jordan Greenway (middle body), Mattias Samuelsson (lower body)
How to Watch the Sabres vs. Jets Game
- TV: MSG (Buffalo broadcast market)
- Streaming: ESPN+ (out-of-market)
- Radio: WGR 550
Final Thoughts
The Sabres will need to bring their best effort to snap their winless streak against a Jets team eager to rediscover its dominant form. Both teams are battling injuries but have the talent to make this an exciting showdown. With Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Connor Hellebuyck in net, expect goaltending to play a pivotal role in tonight’s outcome.
Stay tuned for updates and live coverage as the Sabres look to make KeyBank Center a challenging place to play once again.