National Hockey League
Winnipeg 4, Buffalo 3
When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, January 5, 2018
Where: Bell MTS Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Referees: Gord Dwyer, Garrett Rank
Linesmen: Trent Knorr, Mark Wheler
Attendance: 15321
Winnipeg's Jacob Trouba and Blake Wheeler both finished with a goal and an assist as the Jets scored a 4-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Friday night.

Dustin Byfuglien and Bryan Little each added a goal for the Jets (24-11-7). Winnipeg improved to 4-0-1 in its past five games.

Buffalo's Marco Scandella got his first goal of the season, and Johan Larsson and Scott Wilson each posted a goal for the Sabres (10-22-9).

Jason Pominville and Evan Rodrigues both gave the Sabres two assists.

Each team finished with 29 shots, but Winnipeg notched a pair of power-play goals that made the difference.

Byfuglien scored his first goal in his 30th game this season. The power-play effort gave the Jets a 1-0 lead 9:27 into the game. Scandella tied it with his tally at 11:40 of the opening period.

The Jets then scored two straight, one at 15:46 of the first period from Trouba and a second power-play goal, this time from Wheeler at 6:06 of the second period. Wheeler snapped a shot from the right circle past goalie Chad Johnson to give Winnipeg a 3-1 lead.

Larsson answered for Buffalo at 18:03 of the middle period before Bryan Little made it 4-2 just 25 seconds into the third period.

The Sabres, who have dealt with offensive issues in the past several games, cut the deficit to 4-3 on a Wilson goal with 7:43 left in the game. Buffalo pulled the goalie in the final moments, but Winnipeg held on.

Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck made 26 saves for the win. Johnson stopped 25 shots.

Winnipeg moved their impressive home record to 15-3-1. The Jets play host to the San Jose Sharks on Sunday.

The Sabres reached the halfway point in the season with the defeat. They play the Flyers in Philadelphia on Sunday.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Buffalo   Winnipeg
Jason Pominville 2 Points Jacob Trouba 2
Johan Larsson 1 Goals Jacob Trouba 1
Jason Pominville 2 Assists Jacob Trouba 1
N/A Power Play Goals Blake Wheeler 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Chad Johnson .862 Save Percentage Connor Hellebuyck .897
Chad Johnson 25 Saves Connor Hellebuyck 26
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Buffalo 29 3 0-5 2-4 8 30
Winnipeg 29 4 2-4 5-5 10 35
Upcoming Games
  • Winnipeg will play their next game at home against San Jose. The Jets have a W/L % of .522 after a win and .632 after a loss.
  • Buffalo will play their next game on the road against Philadelphia. The Sabres have a W/L % of .100 after a win and .290 after a loss.