Sabres hope to turn corner vs. Jets (Jan 09, 2018)
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- New year, same results for the Buffalo Sabres.
Despite the change in the calendar, things remain the same for the struggling Sabres. Buffalo (10-23-9) has lost four games in a row since the start of the new year and will look to snap its losing streak against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday.
Buffalo is coming off a disappointing 4-1 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday, where center Ryan O'Reilly scored the lone goal. Buffalo also lost to Winnipeg 4-3 on Friday, Minnesota 6-2 on Thursday and the New York Rangers 3-2 in overtime in the Winter Classic.
"We need to regroup," O'Reilly said following the loss to the Flyers, according to the team's website. "It's the second half of the season and that's not the way we want to start it. It's frustrating. We have to regroup and we have to get better in practice because these games are there for us."
Buffalo is looking to get a boost from top prospect Brendan Guhle, who was promoted from the AHL's Rochester Americans on Monday. The 20-year-old defenseman was a second-round pick of the Sabres in 2015 (51st overall) and is considered one of Buffalo's top up-and-coming young prospects. He's excelled in the minor leagues with Rochester and showed plenty of promise this preseason for the Sabres.
"I think he's just earned his way up," Sabres coach Phil Housley said, according to the team's website. "He's in a good spot. He's in a winning environment down there which is great for the culture of the team. It's just a great opportunity to see what he can bring to practice."
"I really like his mobility obviously, but I like the stick detail that he has defensively and what he does from our goalie working out. Obviously, you look at him and he's joining the rush and he's making things happen back there."
Buffalo will be without defenseman Victor Antipin, who is making his way back from a lengthy battle with the flu.
"I think he's just got to work his way back in. He lost some weight, he's ill, and those things don't happen overnight," Housley said, according to the team's website. "He's going to take some time to gain some muscle, add some strength back, and right now he's just starting that. It's going to take a little bit of time for him."
The Jets (25-11-7) are trending in the other direction. Winnipeg has won five of its last six games, with its only loss coming in overtime on Jan. 2 to the Colorado Avalanche. The Jets sit at the top of the Central Division with 57 points. This will mark the start of a three-game road trip, with games against Buffalo, Chicago and Minnesota.
"They're a tough team," center Bryan Little said of the Sabres, according to the team's website. "They're a team that gives us some trouble. We expect the same thing in their rink. They have guys that can wheel out there, and some skilled forwards. If we go in with the same mindset where if we play tight defensively, not give them too many opportunities, and be patient with what we do, we'll be fine."
Blake Wheeler leads the Jets in scoring with 50 points (14 goals, 36 assists) in 43 games. Connor Hellebuyck has a save percentage of .923 in 35 games.
