Main storyline: When was the last time the Buffalo Sabres (6-13-2) won four consecutive games? You have to go back to the 2011-12 NHL season when the Sabres had a five-game win streak from March 17 to March 27. On Wednesday, the Sabres will look to add another win in the standings as they host the Winnipeg Jets (11-9-3) at the First Niagara Center.
Season series: Wednesday is the first of two match-ups between the Sabres and Jets. The last time these two teams met, former Jets goaltender Al Montoya made 27-saves in a 3-0 shutout win on December 31, 2013. The Sabres will next play the Jets in Winnipeg on Tuesday December 16 from the MTS Centre. The Sabres lead the all-time record lead versus the Jets / Thrashers organization with a 22-17-11 record.
Where they stand: The Sabres are currently in a three-way tie at the bottom of the National Hockey League with Columbus and Edmonton. All three teams sit in the basement of the league with 14 points, with Edmonton a game ahead of both Buffalo and Columbus. The Sabres are last in the Atlantic Division with Florida ahead of them at 20 points.
For the Jets, they currently sit tied for third in the Central Division with the Chicago Blackhawks at 25 points. Winnipeg has two games in-hand on the Hawks, and sit three games ahead of the Minnesota Wild, who have 24 points.
Recent performance: The Sabres are coming off a win over the weekend on the road in Washington. The Sabres had an extended break following the winter storm in Western New York which forced Friday’s matchup with the New York Rangers to be postponed. After a scoreless first period, Matt Moulson gave Buffalo the lead in the second off of a rebound off the backboards. In the third period, Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen tied the game on the powerplay just over five minutes into the frame. With about seven minutes left in the game, Torrey Mitchell cashes in on a loose puck in front of the Capitals net to give the Sabres a 2-1 lead. Jhonas Enroth shut the door from there, making a total of 43 saves to preserve the Sabres win.
For the Jets, they played on Tuesday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Winnipeg got off to a quick start by scoring nine seconds into the game. From there, the Jets got three more goals, and Michael Hutchinson stopped 34 of the 36 shots faced to give Winnipeg a 4-2 win. Evander Kane had two goals in the game, while Bryan Little had a goal and an assist.
Buffalo notes: The Sabres have had time to rest and prepare for Wednesday’s game against Winnipeg. On Tuesday, Sabres coach Ted Nolan placed Patrick Kaleta at center on the fourth line along with Marcus Foligno and Christ Stewart. This move is because of a concussion Cody McCormick suffered on Saturday in Washington after taking a skate to the head. Goaltender Michal Neuvirth is expected to be back with the Sabres on Wednesday to serve as back-up for Jhonas Enroth. Defenseman Josh Gorges was practicing with the Sabres on Tuesday, and could return the the lineup as early as Friday against Montréal. Tyler Ennis has taken over the lead in points for the Sabres with 13 on the year (6+7), but Drew Stafford (12 points, 2+8) and Zemgus Girgensons (11 points, 6+5) are close behind.
Opponent notes: Winnipeg has been a surprise to some people this season to start the year. The Jets have been getting production from its higher end players, and have been getting some decent goaltending from both Ondrej Pavelec and Michael Hutchinson. Leading the way for the Jets in points is Blake Wheeler with 16 points (8+8), with team captain Andrew Ladd (15 points, 8+7) and Bryan Little (14 points, 7+7) right behind. Pavelec has been strong in the nets with a 2.29 goals-against average and a .917 save-percentage, although his record would say otherwise at 7-8-3. Pavelec will start in goal for the Jets against the Sabres. Tobias Enstrom is the only Jet injured at this point, and it not expected to play on Wednesday with a lower-body injury.
Conclusion: Can the Sabres get its fourth win in a row on Wednesday? Or will the Jets spoil the Thanksgiving party in Buffalo? Opening face-off is scheduled for 7pm. The game will be broadcasted on MSG Network.