Jets vs. Sabres Preview: Special Teams, Lineup Questions, and a Key Week Ahead
After both teams picked up Saturday night wins, the Winnipeg Jets and Buffalo Sabres return to the ice tonight for the first of two head-to-head matchups this week. The Jets handled a struggling Nashville squad, while the Sabres outlasted a surging Minnesota team in a shootout - a gritty win that showcased Buffalo’s ability to rise to the occasion on home ice.
This week’s two-game mini-series between Winnipeg and Buffalo wraps up Friday in Winnipeg, but tonight’s clash in Buffalo sets the tone. And for both teams, there are plenty of storylines to track heading into puck drop.
Jets Lineup: Questions on Defense, Secondary Scoring, and Who’s In
Winnipeg enters this one with more questions than answers when it comes to their lineup. Will Neal Pionk be ready to return to the blue line? If not, does Luke Schenn hold his spot, or has young Elias Salomonsson done enough to earn another look?
The Jets finally got some much-needed secondary scoring in their win over Nashville - a promising sign for a team that’s leaned heavily on its top line. That opens the door for potential tweaks up front. Could Cole Koepke find his way back into the mix?
As of the morning skate at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, the Jets are expected to stick with the same lineup they used Saturday. That means no immediate changes, but keep an eye on last-minute updates.
Here’s how the Jets are projected to line up:
Forwards:
- Connor - Scheifele - Vilardi
- Namestnikov - Toews - Perfetti
- Niederreiter - Lowry - Iafallo
- Pearson - Barron - Nyquist
Defense:
- Morrissey - DeMelo
- Samberg - Schenn
- Stanley - Miller
Goaltender:
- Comrie
Sabres Riding Momentum at Home
Buffalo has quietly put together a strong home record (8-5-2), and they’re coming off one of their more impressive wins of the season - a shootout victory over a red-hot Wild team. That kind of result can build confidence, especially for a young group still finding its identity.
The Sabres are sticking with the same lineup that got the job done against Minnesota:
Forwards:
- Benson - Kozak - Thompson
- Zucker - McLeod - Quinn
- Doan - Ostlund - Tuch
- Dunner - Krebbs - Malestyn
Defense:
- Samuelsson - Dahlin
- Byram - Timmins
- Bryson - Power
Goaltender:
- Ellis
Special Teams Could Be the Difference
This one might come down to the special teams battle - and there’s a clear contrast between the two clubs.
Winnipeg’s power play has slipped a bit, dropping from 6th to 10th in the league, but their penalty kill remains rock solid at 6th overall. Buffalo, meanwhile, is near the bottom of the league in power play efficiency (21st), but their penalty kill has been outstanding - currently ranked 2nd in the NHL.
So what does that mean? If this game becomes a whistle-heavy affair, the Jets will need to be sharp with the man advantage and avoid giving Buffalo’s elite penalty kill too many chances to shine. On the flip side, the Sabres will look to frustrate Winnipeg’s power play and capitalize on any breakdowns.
What’s at Stake?
For Winnipeg, this is about momentum. Beating Nashville was expected - now the challenge is stringing together wins and proving they can take care of business against teams with more bite. For Buffalo, it’s about building on a strong home presence and showing that Saturday’s win wasn’t a one-off.
The next chapter of this mini-series comes Friday in Winnipeg, but tonight’s game could set the tone for both teams heading into a pivotal stretch of the season.