Evander Kane bumps into Philadelphia goalie Brian Elliott on Dec. 22. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Evander Kane needs to finish scoring chances

BUFFALO – Right now, with only two goals in his last 11 outings, Sabres winger Evander Kane is enduring his worst offensive stretch this season.

Of course, Kane is still enjoying a strong campaign. The nine-year veteran has compiled 16 goals and 35 points through 42 games entering tonight’s tilt against the Winnipeg Jets, a 31-goal, 68-point pace over 82 contests.

Kane hasn’t gone totally quiet in the last three weeks, either.

“If you look at my last 10 games, I’ve had some grade A scoring opportunities,” Kane said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “I just haven’t finished. That unfortunately happens throughout the course of a season.”

Sabres coach Phil Housley believes Kane, who has averaged 3.5 shots a game over the last 11, has kept generating chances.

“The Winter Classic (on New Year’s Day), he had some glorious opportunities,” Housley said. “It’s not so much he’s not getting the opportunities. Early on, I think he was finishing better, and sometimes that happens.”

Still, the Sabres, the NHL’s lowest-scoring team with just 2.2 goals a game, desperately need Kane’s offense.

Housley tinkered with his lines again following Sunday’s 4-1 loss in Philadelphia, the Sabres’ fourth straight setback (0-3-1). Kane should start tonight’s game against his old team at left wing beside center Ryan O’Reilly and Jason Pominville.

The Sabres will make one lineup change, inserting rookie defenseman Brendan Guhle for veteran Josh Gorges. Defenseman Justin Falk and winger Benoit Pouliot will be the other healthy scratches.

Goalie Robin Lehner, who missed Monday’s practice, will start, his 33rd appearance this season. The Jets will start goalie Steve Mason, his first nod in seven games.

In other news, Sabres defenseman Victor Antipin, out the last two weeks battling the flu, skated with his teammates this morning. Antipin looked noticeably thinner.

“It’s got to be difficult, when you’re out that amount of time, just getting back into things, getting the timing down, getting some weight back on,” Housley said.

The Sabres lost 4-3 on Friday in Winnipeg. At 25-11-7, the Jets are one of the NHL’s biggest surprises.

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