Following playoff elimination last Friday night, the Buffalo Sabres enter Monday night’s game with one purpose, being a playoff spoiler.
“If they have a chance at this, we can possibly knock them off and feel the same way that we feel,” Steve Ott said, regarding playing spoiler. “Personally and pride way, I would like to do that to another team so they have the same feeling.”
The playoff contender coming to Buffalo tomorrow? The Winnipeg Jets, who currently occupy 9th place in the Eastern Conference.
Winnipeg is currently only three points out of both 3rd and 8th place. This has been possible due to the Southeast Division leading Washington Capitals and New York Rangers both having 52 points.
The Jets late season resurgence has been fueled by a six-game points streak (5-0-1 record), that has seen them move from the basement of the conference into playoff contention.
Although they’ve seen their playoff hopes disappear, Buffalo enters Monday night’s game winning six of their last ten games.
Buffalo is heading into their third and final match-up of the season with the Winnipeg Jets, looking to finally get a win against the Jets. Losing to Winnipeg has become somewhat of a trend for Buffalo, who have lost the last 5 games to Winnipeg.
“I would be completely disappointed in ourselves if we didn’t show up and have our A game, not only for our fans, but for the pride of wearing that jersey,” Ott said.
The Sabres will see Patrick Kaleta out of the lineup due to injury and rookie Mikhail Grigorenko will draw in the lineup for the first time since March 12, 2013 vs. New York, after returning from a stint with the Quebec Ramparts.
The game is scheduled for a puck drop shortly after 7 PM and can be seen on MSG.