The Winnipeg Jets downed the Buffalo Sabres by a score of 3-1 to wrap up their three game road trip. The Jets were able to snap their longest losing streak of the season behind a very strong performance of Connor Hellebuyck. The top line was also flying as they scored the game winner with four minutes left in the game and also added the insurance marker into the empty net. This is a great win for the Jets after a few poor performances in Montreal and Ottawa to begin the road trip. The Jets now head home to face the Rangers on Tuesday.

The game began with a nice stretch of hockey without a whistle. This was great for Winnipeg as they were able to get all four lines out and get their legs moving early after playing less than 24 hours ago in Ottawa. While both teams created a few chances, nobody was able to score in the opening minutes. After getting scored on early yesterday, it was nice to see Winnipeg get into the game and not have to chase it from the early going.

As far as highlights go, there were a few noteworthy moments. Jack Roslovic made a great rush up the ice with some sick dangles in the neutral zone.

Connor Hellebuyck was also sharp as he made multiple saves near the end of the period. One almost squeezed through him, but he was able to reach back and pull it off the goal line.

The Jets killed two straight penalties before Buffalo took one of their own. Winnipeg’s PK was solid as they allowed few chances from Buffalo and even generated a few chances themselves. The Jets now head into the second period on the man advantage.

It was a special teams battle to start the second period as the Jets began on the powerplay. It was short lived however, as Scheifele was called for a hook to abruptly end the man advantage. On the ensuing Sabres powerplay it was the Jets who capitalized as Copp got loose on a breakaway and sniped it past Hutton for the shorthanded goal.

The special teams continued to play an important role later in the period as the Jets were sent off for another penalty, this time to Bryan Little for slashing. The Sabres scored just as the penalty expired when Eichel put one past Hellebuyck from the top of the circle.

The power trip from the refs wasn’t done there as the Jets were called for one more penalty in quick succession. This time there was no scoring for either side and the game stayed knotted at one for the rest of the period. Heading into the third, the Sabres are controlling majority of the play but the Jets were still getting some chances on Hutton.

The game really slowed down in the third period. There were no penalties and both teams had a few chances but were unable to convert. It took 16 minutes of play until Winnipeg was able to get the go ahead goal. It came off a great shift from the top line as Scheifele, Wheeler, and Connor worked the puck around for nearly a minute before Morrissey found Wheeler with a back-door pass.

Mark Scheifele added the empty net goal in the dying seconds as Buffalo was pressing near the end of the game.

The Jets can head home with a good feeling after winning the final game of their road trip. It definitely wasn’t the prettiest win, but the Jets were still able to pick up two points and sit atop the Central Division.

Jack Roslovic has continued his hot play as of late. With a few great rushes, he is beginning to look more comfortable with the puck and is routinely making smart decisions. While he likely gets sent back to the bottom six when Ehlers comes back, it’s important to know he can play up in the lineup if needed.

Connor Hellebuyck was fantastic in this game as he continually made save after save. While the saves weren’t flashy, this was a great performance where he was always in the right position. It was a classic Hellebuyck game which was great to see.

The top line was buzzing when they got into the offensive zone. Scheifele, Wheeler, and Connor had several great shifts and although they struggled at times in their own end, their dominance was on display in the third period as they held the puck for an entire shift before scoring the go ahead goal late in the game.