NHL analyst Adam Proteau of The Hockey News said that if the Sabres manage to get 3 out of 4 points vs. the Jets next season, that could decide their playoff fate. The Buffalo Sabres are under immense pressure to end their 14-year playoff famine next season. If they are to do so, <a href='https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/know-your-enemy-sabres-central-edition-are-winnipeg-jets-too-good-to-lose-to-buffalo' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>they'll need good results against everyone</a>, the top-end teams like Central Division champion Winnipeg Jets included. The Jets were the best regular-season team last year, winning one round of the playoffs before falling to Dallas. Winnipeg signed veteran center Jonathan Toews, now 37 and returning after a two-year leave, winger Gustav Nyquist, and depth scorer Tanner Pearson this offseason. The loss of Nikolaj Ehlers to free agency hurts, <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/winnipeg-jets/nhl-analyst-reveals-whether-the-jets-could-shock-the-nhl-and-go-all-the-way-this-season' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>but the acquisitions should offset some of the lost offense.</a> Despite their talent, Winnipeg had playoff vulnerabilities revealed, most notably goalie Connor Hellebuyck's third straight below-average postseason (.866 save percentage) and underwhelming special teams. For Buffalo, testing the Jets' defense will be key, especially in their early December stretch of two games with Winnipeg in four days, bookended around a game with Philadelphia. <h3>The Sabres Earned 3 of a Possible 4 Points vs. the Jets Last Season</h3> The Sabres earned a split decision versus the Jets last season, with a point for an overtime loss. They could catch a break if they face backup goaltender Eric Comrie for one game; his regular-season numbers (.914 SV%, 2.39 GAA) are respectable but not quite as intimidating as Hellebuyck's. Beating the Jets twice will be a challenge to any team, but duplicating last year's results, a victory and an overtime loss, is a reasonable expectation. The early contests would appear to favor Buffalo, as Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff still has $3.9 million of cap space that is likely being reserved for later-season additions. If Buffalo can keep pace with the Jets, it will be a sign they're ready to fight for a playoff spot at last, per NHL analyst Adam Proteau of The Hockey News. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/hockeypredicts/status/1955419047169859934'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/hockeypredicts/status/1955419048377749628'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> If the Sabres are able to hang with the Jets in their two games next season, it could be an indication Buffalo is going to silence their doubters and play post-season hockey after a stretch of failure that has stunned even the Sabres' most fervent supporters. Buffalo has a chance to send a blunt message to Winnipeg by beating them more than once, and doing so could prove to be the difference between the Sabres making or missing the playoffs. - Adam Proteau A solid performance could send a message and be a turning point toward ending one of the longest playoff droughts in the NHL.