JGD 42: Jets Wing It In Buffalo

As you wake up this Saturday morning, it is important for you to know two things:

The first is something you as a dedicated Winnipeg Jets fan know all too well already. The Jets are aiming for that ever elusive third win in a row which they have had a chance to do seven times previous and failed miserably all seven times.

The second you may not be as aware of and that is that as of this morning, six of the seven Canadian NHL clubs hold down a playoff position. The lame dork team that doesn’t? Your Winnipeg Jets. The good news is the season is still far from over and the Jets are only two points out of said spot.

If ever there was a time for the Jets to start rolling some serious positive momentum, today would be that day in Buffalo against the Sabres.

(19-19-3) – 5th in the Central

Everything is status-quo for the Jets going into today’s contest as there were no changes to lines during Friday’s skate and Paul Maurice did confirm that Hellebuyck would get the start – his third in a row.

You already know about how good the top line has been as Ehlers, Laine and Scheifele all have three game point streaks. Even more impressive is Jacob Trouba who has a five game points streak going with two of those games being multi-point efforts.

The missing spot in the Buffalo line up that you gaze upon now? That should be filled by rookie Justin Bailey.

The Sabres have been woeful as of late losing three of their last five and seven of their last nine games, but they did have a very good performance at home against the Chicago Blackhawks that they lost in a 4-3 overtime effort.

Our old pal Evander has been pretty good recently with eight goals in his past 13 games played, and the team was further helped by the return of Ryan O’Reilly who came back Thursday from an appendectomy.

No idea as of the time this was written as to who will start for Buffalo, Anders Nilsson has started the previous two games for the Sabres. He was stellar versus the Rangers on Tuesday but struggled a bit against the Hawks on Thursday.