Game 27: Winnipeg Jets vs Buffalo Sabres pre-game report

The season series between the Jets and Sabres wraps up tonight in Winnipeg after getting started on Monday in Buffalo which saw the home team absolutely demolish the visitors by a final score of 5-1. It was a bad loss which prompted a players only meeting afterwards.

The next game Winnipeg went to Montreal and made three lineup changes (Neal Pionk returned from injury, prospect Elias Salomonsson was injected back in and Cole Koepke also got a shot). The team played a better game despite losing 3-2 in a shootout to the Habs. They travelled home on Thursday and the only news we might expect today is an update on Haydn Fleury, although he wouldn’t be a player tonight.

After winning on Monday the Sabres left western New York for a six-game road trip which began in Pennsylvania as they took on the Flyers which saw them drop the contest 5-2 including two power play goals which turned the tide. Despite the loss Buffalo is now no longer in the basement and given they are only five points back of a wild card spot you know a team that has missed the playoffs for 15 straight seasons is gonna be motivated to try to get above the playoff line.

Skate news:

No changes for the Jets today at morning skate.

Jets projected lines & D pairs:

Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
Namestnikov-Toews-Perfetti
Niederreiter-Lowry-Iafallo
Koepke-Barron-Pearson

Morrissey-DeMelo
Samberg-Pionk
Stanley-Salomonsson

Comrie

Sabres projected lines & D pairs:

Benson-Norris-Thompson
Zucker-McLeod-Quinn
Doan-Ostlund-Tuch
Dunne-Krebs-Malenstyn

Samuelsson-Dahlin
Bryson-Power
Byram-Timmins

Ellis/Lyon/Luukkonen

Players media availability:

Coach media availability:

Topics:
1. How much or how little would you reference what happened in Buffalo?
2. What’s the expectation after a players only meeting? (00:40)
3. Are mistakes a sign of lack of confidence? (1:39)
4. What did you see from Middle six? (2:24)
5. Elias Salomonsson takeaways (3:03)
6. Why don’t you change the top line? (3:37)
7. Rehab on Hellebuyck (4:48)
8. Update on Fleury (5:08)
9. What are you seeing from your depth? (5:24)
10. How quick do you solve issues? (6:40)
11. Comparable to Arniel’s time in Columbus? (8:09)
12. More talking this time? (8:43)

Health updates:

Head coach Scott Arniel was asked for updates on Connor Hellebuyck and Haydn Fleury.

Regarding Hellebuyck he said:

“He’s in the movements. He’s got movement going. He hasn’t touched the ice yet, it’s getting close though. Sort of his up and down stuff is starting to happen so it’s progressing as we had hoped.”

On Fleury he indicated:

“He skated this morning 8 o’clock, so he’s cleared. Now it’s conditioning, because obviously he wasn’t even skating for a stretch there so today was his first real go. Won’t make the road trip tomorrow.”

Odds:

The Sabres head into Winnipeg to face the Jets, with both clubs looking to regain momentum. Buffalo is coming off a heavy loss to the Flyers after earning a win over Winnipeg earlier this week, while the Jets fell in a shootout to the Canadiens and are eager to bounce back on home ice. With the Jets viewed as a slight favorite, this matchup may hinge on whether they can regain their footing at home or the Sabres can recapture the spark that carried them in their first meeting. For the latest Winnipeg Jets hockey odds, visit NHL betting site Betway.

Up Next:

Puck drop is at 6 PM CST. Be sure to head over to illegalcurve.com following the game for a recap of the action. You can join us on our YouTube channel for the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show around 8:40 PM CST as we discuss and analyze the results of the game.