The Winnipeg Jets are back on the ice Monday night, looking to build off a much-needed win that snapped a four-game skid. That victory in Nashville wasn’t just two points-it was a breath of fresh air for a team that had lost its defensive identity and needed something to rally around. Now, with the Buffalo Sabres rolling into town on a bit of a heater themselves, this matchup has the feel of a pivot point for both squads.
Let’s start with the Jets. That win over the Predators was gritty, and it came at a time when the team desperately needed to stop the bleeding.
The offense showed signs of life, but more importantly, the group looked engaged again. Now the challenge is sustaining that energy against a Sabres team that’s won five of its last eight and is starting to find its rhythm offensively.
This will be the 74th all-time meeting between these two teams, and historically, Winnipeg has had the upper hand with a 41-25-1-6 record. But history won’t mean much if the Jets can’t tighten up defensively-something that’s been a growing concern.
Rookie goaltender Thomas Milic could get the nod again after making his NHL debut on Friday. The young netminder stopped 30 shots in that outing, showing poise and athleticism despite allowing four goals.
It wasn’t a perfect debut, but it was promising-especially considering the circumstances. If Milic is between the pipes again, he’ll be tested by a Buffalo offense that’s heating up at just the wrong time for Winnipeg.
Up front, the Jets are sticking with Jonathan Toews as the second-line center, flanked by Cole Perfetti and Vladislav Namestnikov. That line has the potential to generate offense with a mix of skill and veteran savvy. The third unit remains steady with Nino Niederreiter and Adam Lowry, joined by Alex Iafallo on the opposite wing-a line that can grind shifts and tilt the ice.
The most intriguing lineup wrinkle, though, comes on the blue line. Luke Schenn is expected to draw in for rookie Elias Salomonsson.
Schenn, a 36-year-old veteran, has had a rough go this season. He’s only played in 17 games and carries a -5 even-strength goal differential-the second-worst among Winnipeg defensemen.
He’s been on the ice for 14 goals against, including nine at even strength, and his ice time has dipped below 14 minutes per game. That said, he showed a spark in Saturday’s win, notching two assists to bring his season total to four.
If he can build on that and bring some physical edge without getting exposed defensively, it could be a boost for a blue line that’s been leaking goals.
And speaking of goals, that’s where Buffalo comes in. The Sabres have had their struggles this season, sitting at 10-11-4 largely because of a leaky defense that ranks sixth-worst in the NHL at 3.44 goals against per game. Their offense hasn’t been much better overall-averaging just under three goals per game, which puts them in the middle of the pack.
But lately? They’ve flipped the switch.
Over their last eight games, Buffalo is averaging 3.63 goals per contest-sixth-best in the league during that span. That offensive surge has been powered by the usual suspects: Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, and Alex Tuch, each with seven points in that stretch.
When those three are clicking, the Sabres become a handful, especially in transition.
That’s not great news for a Jets defense that’s been anything but airtight lately. Winnipeg has allowed 35 goals in its last 10 games-a far cry from the stingy group that led the NHL in goals against over the past two seasons. If they’re going to get back to being a playoff-caliber team, it starts with rediscovering that defensive identity.
In goal for Buffalo, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to get the start. His season numbers are modest-a 3-3-1 record with a 2.72 goals-against average and a .890 save percentage-but he’s been solid against Winnipeg in the past, with a 2.73 GAA and a .913 save percentage across four games.
So, what we have here is a classic case of a team trying to get back on track (Jets) facing off against a team trying to keep the momentum rolling (Sabres). For Winnipeg, this isn’t just another game-it’s a measuring stick.
Can they build off Saturday’s win and start stringing together performances that look like the team they were expected to be? Or will Buffalo’s surging offense expose the cracks that have been showing for weeks?
One thing’s for sure: both teams have something to prove, and that usually makes for an entertaining night of hockey.