Buffalo Sabres take on Winnipeg Jets in basement battle of the Eastern Conference - NHL Preview
The match at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, on Thursday, January 19, 2012, between the Buffalo Sabres and Winnipeg Jets pits two of the Eastern Conference's worst teams against each other with both sides needing a win to restore their respective
pride.
The Sabres are in the doldrums having lost six of their previous eight games. They have lost three games in a row including a, 6-2, loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday with a poor show in defence.
Buffalo is 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 19-22-5 record and 43 points failing to record a single win on the road during their past ten games. Another loss will make an unwanted franchise record for the worst losing streak on the road.
"We're not dealing well with adversity", Buffalo head coach, Lindy Ruff, said. "Until we learn to win again, you won't win on the road".
Buffalo has been allowing a huge three goals-per-game on average to the opposition with goaltenders, Ryan Miller and Jhonas Enroth, failing to keep the opposition out.
Sabres road record stands at a horrendous 8-13-0 but have a good shot at changing things around against the Jets who are facing their own problems in the National Hockey League (NHL) regular season.
The Jets rank just one spot above the Sabres with a 21-20-5 record and 47 points as they lost six of their previous eight games as well.
Winnipeg’s, 5-1, defeat at the hands of a resurgent New Jersey side showcased some major problems as the Devils easily broke the defence with star forward, Ilya Kovalchuk, scoring a wonderful brace to get back to scoring form.
However, the Jets can spring a surprise as they navigated past a lethargic Ottawa Senators club with a 2-0 win on Monday.
The 5-1 defeat against the Devils made Jets’ coach, Claude Noel, snap at reporters to release his frustrations after the game.
"I don't care to share with you guys what I'm thinking. Is that not clear to you guys?" Noel said aggressively to the media.
It is tough to call who will be more likely to get out of their poor form after the game as both teams have been highly inconsistent, but the Jets have the greater chance since they can take heart from the Sabres poor form which provides them a big opportunity
to regain their lost confidence.
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