Fatigue gets the best of Buffalo in defeat against Winnipeg

Somehow and someway, the Buffalo Sabres' slim playoff hopes were alive following last night's blowout win against the Vegas Golden Knights. After winning 7-2, they could not celebrate long as they had another game against the Winnipeg Jets, another tough Western Conference team.

This was the final game of Week 20 for the team and it was another test in the gauntlet of a schedule they had. The out-of-town scoreboard was perfect for Buffalo, and if they won tonight, they would be eight points out of a playoff spot.

Just like last night, Buffalo got the scoring started thanks to JJ Peterka who got his 20th goal of the season and gave the Sabres a 1-0 lead. In the dying seconds of the period, the Jets tied it up thanks to Nino Niederreiter. Both goals were just perfect passing from each team, you couldn't blame either goaltender.

Around the halfway point of the second period, Eric Robinson, who has been playing well as of late, gave the Sabres their lead back again as he made it 2-1 after a great pass from Peyton Krebs. Unfortunately for Buffalo, those were all the goals they scored in the game.

Josh Morrissey was able to tie the game up in the third period on a delayed penalty going to the Sabres and the puck somehow found its way through Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen into the net. Just a few minutes later, Morgan Barron gave Winnipeg a 3-2 lead with a shot that UPL should've had. With me saying this however, Luukkonen was the only reason why the game was close

The Jets went on to score two empty net goals as they defeated Buffalo 5-2. While both teams played the day before, I believe fatigue caught up to the Sabres. Winnipeg outshot them 35-19 and they would not let Buffalo back in the game after Robinson made it 2-1.

Give credit to where it's due, the Jets are a very good team. The day before, they had a comeback win against the Carolina Hurricanes where Winnipeg was trailing 3-0 and ended up winning 5-3. Buffalo failed to make up ground and will have to wait until Wednesday night as they will be in Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs.