January 19, 2012

Jets winger Blake Wheeler will return to the ice Thursday after taking a puck in the throat last Saturday. (Jason Halstead/QMI Agency)

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Jets got an infusion of talent against the Buffalo Sabres as forward Blake Wheeler re-joins the team tonight.

Wheeler missed the past two games after taking a puck in the throat on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils.

Defenceman Zach Bogosian joined Wheeler at the Jets' morning skate, but remains day-to-day after missing the past four games with a lower-body injury. Coach Claude Noel said Bogosian is making progress with his recovery and could return in the next couple of games.

The Jets are 2-6 in January and coming off a 5-1 loss to the Devils on Tuesday, while the Sabres lost 6-2 to the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday and have lost 10 consecutive road games.

Puck drop is 7:35 pm CST at MTS Centre.