The Winnipeg Jets were able to end their four-game losing streak and end the month of November with a win over the Nashville Predators. As the calendar turns to December, the True Northers prepare to face the Buffalo Sabers in upstate New York tonight, with puck drop expected around 6:30 p.m. If you were hoping to catch the action, I hope you have a Prime membership or know a good streaming site.
Both jets (13-11-0) and Sabers (10-11-4) are coming into action on the back of a one-game winning streak, but the hometown club got some great news with their top centre, Josh Norriswhich is available for the first time this season. Unfortunately, the True Northers were not as lucky as both defenders Neal Pionk & goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck stay out of line.
Buffalo mainly gets its scores from, among others Alex Tuk (22 pts), Take Thompson (21), Jos Doan (16), Rasmus Dahlin (16), & Ryan McLeod (14). Although the Sabers also get secondary production, with 10 players with at least 9 points.
Winnipeg’s top four players have performed very well, with Mark Scheifele (31 pts), Kyle Connor (29), Josh Morrissey (23), & Gabriel Vilardi (21) who often get their names on the competition forms. Besides Swiss army knife Nino Niederreiter (15), the other Jets skaters squeezed their sticks too hard.
Let’s continue our look at Winnipeg & Buffalo by checking out ESPN‘S team and goaltender comparison numbers for tonight’s late night game:
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The stats are pretty close across the board when you compare the Jets & Sabers… except Winnipeg has more success on the power play. Buffalo’s second-place ranking among NHL penalty killers might negate that.
It doesn’t sound like that coach Scott Arniel will make any changes to the roster that won against the Preds, so rookie Elias Salomonsson will have to watch this from the press box. Here’s how PuckPedia has the predicted line-ups for tonight’s clash:
WINNIPEG JETS ALIGNING
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BUFFALO SABELS IN A LINE
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The Winnipeg Jets currently hold the last wild card spot in the Western Conference if you go by winning percentage instead of actual points, while the Buffalo Sabers are the worst franchise in the East… even though they are just 5 points out of a wild card spot.
That’s all I have time for on my lunch break… Let me hear any pre-match thoughts you may have in the comments section below. Cheers.
Go to Winnipeg!!!!!
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AFTER-GAME INFO
Score overview: (courtesy of ESPN)
FINAL SCORE:
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Game Statistics: (courtesy of MoneyPuck)
Expected goals (all):
Expected goals (5on5):
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BOJA’S THOUGHTS AFTER THE GAME:
I’m not sure if I’ll stay up late enough to add my thoughts once the game is over, but I’ll at least add the summary and stats to the article before I hit the hay. Go Jets!!!
#Winnipeg #Jets #Buffalo #Sabres