From that point on, the Sabres shut the door on a Jets offense that ranked fifth in the league in per-game scoring since the start of February. Johansson faced his final shot with 9:24 still on the clock. The Jets couldn't even pull goalie Connor Hellebuyck until less than a minute remained, thanks in part to some characteristically heavy forechecking by the Larsson line.
It was another sign of growth from a team that had turned in one of its best defensive performances in Pittsburgh just 24 hours prior.
"We all spoke about wanting to have meaningful games," Krueger said. "Well, if anybody thought these two games weren't meaningful, they don't get what's going on here. They were extremely meaningful, and the guys are learning how to play meaningful games.
"That's what the goal of the season is, really, as many of these as possible. So, we have to keep it simple, keep it small, and keep focused on the next task. But these two games this weekend certainly meant a lot at this time."
The potential for change to the team's makeup on Monday remains. For now, the players have guaranteed that the group that travels out west Tuesday will have meaningful hockey waiting for it.
"It's fun," Okposo said. "Gotta win games. Gotta win. This is our playoffs right now. I think everybody in this room knows what we have to do big picture, but as long as we keep taking it one game at a time.
"It's fun when you have a game like today, you don't play your best, but you know you need two points and you find a way to get it. Huge testament to all the guys in the room and we're looking forward to playing some meaningful hockey."