Face-off: 1900 ET, 30/03/2022
Arena: KeyBank Center
Winnipeg are refusing to give up on the hope of making the playoffs and their dogged determination may prove just too much for Buffalo.
The Sabres have also not lacked effort of late and have been involved in a number of close contests, but we still favour the Jets at KeyBank Center.
Let’s take 7.5 for an away win by one goal at the end of regular time in our Buffalo Sabres vs Winnipeg Jets predictions.
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Buffalo Sabres Odds
Admittedly, Buffalo have picked up at least one point in six straight matches following Monday’s 6-5 success at Chicago.
The Sabres trailed 4-0 early on in the second period and were 5-4 down halfway through the third.
However, Alex Tuch equalised at 17:46 and Tage Thompson bagged a fluke decider with only 12 seconds left on the clock.
Victor Olofsson had earlier posted two goals and an assist, while Dylan Cozens and Rasmus Dahlin each had two assists.
Head coach Don Granato said: “What a game. My message to the team after was you get consumed and frustrated by perfection. We have to disregard that.
“When you win and you win championships and you win games, these teams that win, they do it in imperfect situations.”
That followed five consecutive draws in regular time, three of which ended in victory, so this is a team ready for a battle.
Winnipeg are defending well, though, and 11.0 for a 3-2 away win catches the eye from the NHL odds.
Winnipeg Jets Odds
Winnipeg are 8-3-0 from their last 11 fixtures after picking up a couple of overtime triumphs, shading Columbus 4-3 before edging out Arizona 2-1.
Mark Scheifele scored his second goal against the Coyotes with 9.7 seconds remaining and the Jets are just three points off a wild card place.
“Obviously, we want to make the playoffs, but we know we’re not going to make the playoffs in one game,” said Scheifele.
“All you can do is take each game in stride, play your best, leave it all on the ice and control what you can control. That’s all we can do.”
Centre Scheifele and forwards Blake Wheeler and Kyle Connor are all in fine form, along with goalie Connor Hellebuyck.
Winnipeg will look to get off to a strong start here, as Buffalo are 47-72 down in the opening period this term.
Let’s finish off our NHL predictions by taking 2.35 for the Jets to be ahead after 20 minutes.
Additional stats
Last result:
Chicago 5-6 BUFFALO
WINNIPEG 2-1 Arizona (OT)
Season head-to-head: Winnipeg 2-4 Buffalo
