The Winnipeg Jets began their 4 game home stand this afternoon against the visiting Buffalo Sabres. With only 12 games left in the regular season, the Jets had their first chance to control their own destiny when it came to clinching a playoff spot. With a point against the Sabres or a St. Louis Blues loss later in the day, the Jets would lock in their place in the 2024-25 NHL playoffs. The Jets played well, but came up just a little short this afternoon, as they couldn’t take care of business, failing to officially secure their spot with a tough 5-3 loss.

Eric Comrie got the start in net against one of his former teams, and the rest of the Jets lineup remained unchanged except for Logan Stanley slotting in on the 3rd pairing instead of Haydn Fleury. The loss also leaves the Jets 2 points behind the Washington Capitals at the top of the NHL standings, who have 102 points, with the Jets and Capitals meeting in Winnipeg on Tuesday. Here’s how this Sunday afternoon showdown unfolded at Canada Life Centre.

The Jets started this game strong, getting a few chances early as they led in shots 3-0 after the first 2 minutes. After 8 minutes, the shots on goal were still only 3-1 Jets, as this game slowed down as both teams looked to get the first goal of the game. The Sabres opened the scoring on just their 3rd shot of the game near the halfway mark of the period. Right off a faceoff, Ryan McLeod drew it back to Jacob Bernard-Docker, who found JJ Peterka near the right faceoff dot, and he wristed one top corner past Comrie, giving the Sabres a 1-0 lead.

A few minutes later, Mark Scheifele was called for tripping, giving the Sabres the first powerplay of the afternoon. The Jets penalty kill handled this Sabres opportunity with ease, not allowing them any shots while getting a chance of their own shorthanded. A successful penalty kill seemed to give the Jets some momentum, as they continued to lead in shots 10-3 towards the end of the period. The Jets got one more chance that missed the net just before the clock ran out, but went into the 1st intermission down 1-0 despite leading in shots 10-3.

Only 24 seconds into the 2nd, Connor Clifton got called for holding against Vladislav Namestnikov. The league’s number 1 powerplay went to work with a great chance to tie this game up at 1. After getting set up quickly, the Jets got the powerplay rolling. Cole Perfetti found Nino Niederreiter down low, who was looking for Namestnikov in front, but it went off the Sabres defender into the net past Sabres backup goalie James Reimer. Niederreiter’s 15th of the season tied this game at 1, and the Jets continued to lead in shots 15-3.

Pushing for their first lead of the game, the Jets were looking like the better team as the early part of 2nd period went on. Mason Appleton took an interference penalty against Alex Tuch, giving the Sabres their 2nd powerplay of the game. Yet again, the Jets penalty kill had a strong display of patience and shutting down passing lanes. For the second straight powerplay, the Jets didn’t allow a single shot, and they were hoping this kill would give them the momentum they needed to take the lead.

Reimer was keeping the Sabres in this game, making some key saves against the Jets high flying offence. Bowen Byram high sticked Mark Scheifele with around 8 minutes left in the 2nd, and the Jets powerplay got their second opportunity of this game. Generating 3 shots on goal, the Jets couldn’t get one past Reimer on the man advantage, and the game remained 1-1 late in the 2nd period. The Sabres took a 2-1 lead with a slapper from Rasmus Dahlin with 1:14 left in the 2nd. Despite being the better team through 40 minutes, the Jets found themselves down 2-1 with 20 minutes to play, while leading in shots 23-9.

The first 5 minutes of the 3rd were pretty calm, with both teams getting only 1 shot each. Both teams were looking to get that crucial next goal, so you could sense that neither team wanted to make the next mistake. Soon after, Scheifele took his second tripping call of the game, giving the Sabres their 3rd powerplay of the game. This powerplay was different for the Sabres, who were generating some chances after two powerplays with no shots on goal. After a shot on goal, Tyson Kozak found the loose puck, backhanding it past Comrie who was out high in his crease, giving the Sabres a 3-1 lead.

Down 3-1, the Jets knew they had to get something going as soon as possible, and they did less than 30 seconds later. Logan Stanley passed one to Mark Scheifele who fired a pass across to Colin Miller. In prime shooting position right near the faceoff dot, Miller wristed one up past Reimer to get the Jets back to within one goal. Miller snapped a 40+ game goal drought for himself with his 3rd of the season, and the Jets were down 3-2 at the halfway mark in this 3rd.

The Jets got their 3rd powerplay of the game after Mattias Samuelsson interfered with Mark Scheifele. It was a bit of a weird call, but the Jets would take it as a great chance to tie this game at 3. This powerplay had some good chances, but after a diving clear, Ryan McLeod sent Alex Tuch on a shorthanded breakaway and he made no mistake on his chance, sniping one past Comrie to give the Sabres a 4-2 lead.

With 5 minutes to play, the Jets continued to look like the better team, leading in shots 29-16, but were still trailing the Sabres 4-2. James Reimer continued to make some big saves for the Sabres, until Nikolaj Ehlers scored his 23rd of the season with just over 3 minutes to go. Ehlers flyed down the wing after assists from Dylan DeMelo and Logan Stanley, and took an absolute clapper that went top right corner past Reimer. The Jets weren’t going out quiet this game, and the final push with an empty net was soon to follow.

The Jets worked it in to the zone, and got a few solid chances, but soon after Ryan McLeod backhanded one high and down the ice into the Jets empty net. 47 seconds remained, as the Jets couldn’t get another one past Reimer, losing this game 5-3. Final shots on goal were 36-17 for the Jets.

This game was a tough one for Jets fans, as it was a game they probably deserved to win. James Reimer won the battle of backup goalies, making big save after big save to keep the Sabres in the lead at key moments in this game. The Jets defensive effort wasn’t that bad, there was simply some unfortunate plays that didn’t go or bounce the right way. Jets fans will now be hoping for a St. Louis Blues loss tonight to have the Jets clinch their playoff spot. Up next for the Jets is a tough test at home on Tuesday night, where the Jets and Capitals, the top 2 teams in the NHL standings, will battle it out at Canada Life Centre.