Ryan McLeod delivered a standout performance with a goal and three assists, complemented by James Reimer`s impressive 33 saves, as the Buffalo Sabres surprised the Winnipeg Jets with a 5-3 win on Sunday.
The Jets were aiming for just a single point to secure their place in the NHL playoffs, a goal still within reach pending the outcome of the St. Louis Blues versus Nashville Predators game later on Sunday.
J.J. Peterka, Rasmus Dahlin, Tyson Kozak, and Alex Tuch also contributed to the Sabres` victory, each scoring a goal for the team (27-36-6). Jacob Bernard-Docker assisted on two of the goals.
The Sabres, currently at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, entered this game following a 4-1 defeat by the Minnesota Wild on Saturday.
For the Jets (48-19-4), who were kicking off a four-game home series, Nino Niederreiter, Colin Miller, and Nikolaj Ehlers each scored. Logan Stanley provided two assists in the game.
Winnipeg`s backup goalie, Eric Comrie, playing his 18th game of the season (8-9-1), managed to save 12 shots.
Peterka initiated the scoring, giving the Sabres a 1-0 lead at 9:15 in the first period with a shot past Comrie on the glove side, marking his 22nd goal this season.
Niederreiter evened the score with a power-play goal at 2:05 of the second period, a play that involved fortunate bounces. The puck deflected off Reimer’s pad, hitting Buffalo defenseman Beck Malenstyn’s skate before finding its way into the net.
