Jason Zucker scored for a third straight game, but it was the only offense the Buffalo Sabres could muster in a 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Friday at Canada Life Centre.
The defeat dropped Buffalo to 2-8-2 on the road this season and 0-2-0 to start its season-long six-game road trip, which opened with a loss Wednesday in Philadelphia. The Sabres opened strong with six of the game’s first seven shots, yet Winnipeg struck first when Kyle Connor was left alone at the net just 4:24 into the period.
Zucker evened the score on a first-period power play, burying a rebound to continue his scoring streak, but the Jets took control in the middle frame. Tanner Pearson converted on a breakaway to restore Winnipeg’s lead, and Cole Koepke made it 3-1 late in the second on a rush chance.
Buffalo generated shots but struggled to break through in the third period, recording only six attempts as the Jets locked the game down defensively. Gabriel Vilardi added an empty-net goal in the final minute to close out the scoring.
The Sabres outshot Winnipeg 34-23, though former Sabre Eric Comrie turned aside 33 shots for the Jets. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 19 saves for Buffalo, including a penalty-shot stop on Adam Lowry midway through the second.
The Sabres (11-13-4) road trip shifts to Western Canada next, beginning Monday in Calgary against the Flames at 9 p.m.
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Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].