In Buffalo, the visiting Winnipeg Jets scored a 3-1 win over the Sabres and ended a three-game losing streak.
Blake Wheeler had a goal in the win.
Blake Wheeler had a goal for Jets in their win – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
“When you’ve lost three straight and you’re kind of reeling a little bit, you’re not necessarily going to come out and blow the doors off a team,” said Jets captain Blake Wheeler, who scored the tiebreaking goal late in the third period. “These guys are fighting for a playoff spot. We did a good job of staying patient with that game, kind of doing all of the things that we preached before the game, and we got rewarded.”
Connor Hellebuyck made 35 saves to backstop the win.
The Jets improved to 33-18-3.
Jack Eichel potted the Sabres only goal.
Buffalo dropped to 27-21-7.
“It stinks because of the position we’re in,” Sabres head coach Phil Housley said. “We need points. It was tough because we win a game [Saturday] and I thought in the past our effort, or just the way we were playing, wasn’t indicative of tonight. We came and we charged. It was a good, solid game by us.”
Andrew Copp and Mark Scheifele also scored for the Jets.
“I think we needed to get the first one today,” Copp said. “It was going to be important in the game. We were definitely focused on our defensive game after the last two (when the Jets allowed five goals in each). We knew it was kind of going to be a low-scoring game. Obviously getting that first one is huge in that type of game. Especially with all the [penalties] that we had.”
[WATCH: All Jets vs. Sabres highlights]
Carter Hutton made 26 saves in the loss.
“It’s a tough one,” Sabres forward Kyle Okopso said. “They made a play when it mattered. That’s it. I thought we outplayed them for most of the game. They had their chances, but they made a play when it mattered.”
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