Winnipeg 2, Buffalo 1
When: 7:00 PM ET, Monday, April 22, 2013
Where: First Niagara Center, Buffalo, New York
Referees:
Gord Dwyer, Tim Peel
Linesmen:
Michel Cormier, Mark Shewchyk
Attendance:
18654
By SportsDirect Inc.
Jets 2, Sabres 1: Antti Miettinen scored his first goal since March 24 with 7:36 remaining in the third period as visiting Winnipeg kept its slim playoff hopes alive.
Aaron Gagnon also scored for the Jets, who extended their point streak to seven games (6-0-1) and moved within one of both eighth place in the Eastern Conference and first in the Southeast Division. Ondrej Pavelec made 24 saves in his 11th consecutive start.
Thomas Vanek tallied for Buffalo, which dropped its second game in a row after being eliminated from playoff contention on Friday in a loss to the New York Rangers. Jhonas Enroth stopped 37 shots.
Miettinen, who was a healthy scratch for six games prior to Monday, fired a one-timer from the top of the right faceoff circle that trickled between Enroth’s pads to snap a 1-1 tie. Pavelec robbed Vanek with his glove on a shot from close range with under six minutes remaining to preserve the lead.
Defenseman Derek Meech sent a centering feed to Gagnon, who directed the puck over Enroth’s shoulder to give Winnipeg a 1-0 advantage at 7:42 of the second period. Vanek tied the game 4:15 later during a power play, tipping Tyler Ennis’ pass by Pavelec from the slot with Blake Wheeler serving a hooking penalty.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Winnipeg C Kyle Wellwood left the game in the second period after blocking a shot by Vanek with his hand. Wellwood did not return. ... Two of Gagnon’s three career goals have come against Buffalo. ... The Jets travel to Washington on Tuesday with a chance to vault past the Southeast-leading Capitals, who have a game in hand.
Top Game Performances
Winnipeg |
|
Buffalo |
Aaron Gagnon 1 |
Points |
Thomas Vanek 1 |
Aaron Gagnon 1 |
Goals |
Thomas Vanek 1 |
Dustin Byfuglien 1 |
Assists |
Tyler Ennis 1 |
N/A |
Power Play Goals |
Thomas Vanek 1 |
N/A |
Short Handed Goals |
N/A |
Ondrej Pavelec .960 |
Save Percentage |
Jhonas Enroth .949 |
Ondrej Pavelec 24 |
Saves |
Jhonas Enroth 37 |
Team Stats Summary
Team |
Shots |
Goals |
Power Play |
Penalty Kill |
Penalty Mins |
Face Offs Won |
Winnipeg
|
39 |
2 |
0-3 |
0-1 |
7 |
27 |
Buffalo
|
25 |
1 |
1-1 |
3-3 |
11 |
29 |
Upcoming Games
-
Buffalo will play their next game on the road against Pittsburgh. The Sabres have a W/L % of .526 after a win and .308 after a loss.
-
Winnipeg will play their next game on the road against Washington. The Jets have a W/L % of .565 after a win and .500 after a loss.