Threatening Winnipeg Jets set to host the surging Buffalo Sabres – NHL Preview
After a thundering win against Florida Panthers, Winnipeg Jets have signalled vicious intentions for all the opponents they are going to face this month.
Jets are now going to host Buffalo Sabres in a National Hockey League (NHL) game on Monday, March 5, 2012, at MTS Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Sabres are desperate for victories as they are still out of the comfort zone in the Eastern Conference. Their three-game winning streak will certainly help them against Jets.
Let’s have a look at both teams.
Jets
Jets lost three of the last four games they played in February and allowed other teams to move up in the Eastern Conference.
However, they silenced the critics after convincingly defeating Panthers in the last game.
Jets got two goals in the first period and scored five in the final while goaltender Ondrej Pavelec made 33 saves to get his fourth shutout of the season.
Evander Kane, who scored twice, said after the game:
"They're a team that we're behind and it can very well be the difference of us being in the playoffs or not being in the playoffs so it was a big game for us. It was great to be able to prove to everybody that we're here to play and we have a playoff mindset
going into the next 16 games here."
Jets are ranked at eighth spot in the conference with 70 points after 66 games.
Sabres
Trailing Jets by just two points, Sabres are ranked at 11th spot in the conference with 68 points after 65 games.
The Sabres are on a five-game road trip. Its start was not in their favour, but they managed to win the next three games after defeating Anaheim Ducks (2-0), San Jose Sharks (1-0) and Vancouver Canucks (5-3).
Sabres scored thrice against Canucks in the first period to gain a healthy advantage. Canucks scored one goal in the next period while both teams scored two goals each in the final.
Sabres’ coach, Lindy Ruff, said after the game:
"We're battling hard to get back in the picture. When you can beat a team that's basically the first-place team in the league, it's a big plus."
Predictions
Sabres are good on defence, but their offence has slightly been struggling. However, the victory against Canucks marked an aggressive offensive performance from the Sabres. If they manage to repeat the performance, they will be at advantage. Otherwise, Jets
will have an edge.
The sum of goals scored by both the teams might exceed six.
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