Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Winnipeg Jets scored four goals in the final period of play to complete a third period comeback and earn a 5-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday night at KeyBank Center.
Josh Morrissey and Vladislav Namestnikov both earned multi-point efforts to lead the Jets in the win.
It was an uneventful first period until late when the Jets took the first penalty of the game as Mason Appleton got called for goaltender interference.
The Sabres took advantage thanks to a beautiful passing play from Jeff Skinner and Kyle Okposo, who eventually found JJ Peterka open for a one-timer to make it 1-0, Buffalo.
However, just before the end of the opening period, Winnipeg tied it up at 1-1 as Nino Niederreiter drew the two teams even. The goal came with just 6 seconds remaining in the frame.
The Sabres re-gained the lead in the second period as Peyton Krebs set up Eric Robinson in the slot for a wrist shot to make it a 2-1 Buffalo lead.
Krebs took the first penalty of the night for Buffalo late in the second period, but the Sabres were up to the task, killing off the cross checking penalty.
After both teams had a chance on the power play early in the third period and could not score, the Jets tied the game at 2-2 when Morrissey beat Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in-tight just past the midway point.
Just three minutes later, Morgan Barron gave Winnipeg its first lead of the night, 3-2, with a shot that beat Luukkonen high to the glove side.
From there, Winnipeg went on to score two empty-netters late in regulation courtesy of Namestnikov and Sean Monahan to give the Jets a 5-2 win.
Luukkonen made 30 saves for Buffalo in the losing effort.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: 17:33 - JJ Peterka (20) PPG (Kyle Okposo, Jeff Skinner)
WPG: 19:54 - Nino Niederreiter (17) (Josh Morrissey, Neil Pionk)
Second Period:
BUF: 9:20 - Eric Robinson (3) (Peyton Krebs, Zemgus Girgensons)
WPG: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
WPG: 10:38 - Josh Morrissey (8) (Mark Scheifele, Vladislav Namestnikov); 13:55 - Morgan Barron (10) (Cole Perfetti); 18:39 - Vladislav Namestnikov (8) ENG (Kyle Connor); 19:06 - Sean Monahan (21) ENG (Adam Lowry, Mason Appleton)
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Losi & Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Josh Morrissey - WPG
2.) Morgan Barron - WPG
3.) Eric Robinson - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres have a couple days off before heading North to Toronto to visit the Maple Leafs on Wednesday night for a 7 p.m. EST puck drop. Catch all of the action on WGR Sports Radio 550, starting with pregame coverage at 6 p.m. EST with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog.