Preview: Calgary Flames @ Buffalo Sabres 10/30/18 (13/82): Flames Go For 2 In A Row

Calgary Flames @ Buffalo Sabres, 7 PM MT, KeyBank Center, Buffalo NY

Calgary Flames 6-5-1 (13 points) – Buffalo Sabres 6-4-1 (13 points)

NHL Standings

A well rested and much improved Buffalo Sabres team awaits the Flames as the arrive in upstate NY for the 2nd night of a back to back for Calgary. The Flames were able to snap a 3 game losing streak and a 6 game skid in Toronto on Monday night with a 3-1 victory over the Maple Leafs.

Buffalo is another house of horrors for the Flames as they’ve lost 8 of the last 10 games they’ve played at the Sabres home, including a 3 game skid from 2015 to 2017. And despite how mediocre to bad Buffalo has been over the last few seasons, they aren’t going to make this easy on Calgary. The Sabres have won 3 out of their last 4 and are currently in 5th place in the Eastern Conference. They aren’t an overwhelmingly dominant team, as they sit middle of the pack in pretty much every team stat (GF, GA, PK and PP), but they are getting the job done.

The Sabres have been relying on Linus Ullmark so far this season between the pipes as he’s been the most consistent keeper Buffalo has had all season. Ullmark is 2-0-1 this season, whereas veteran goalie Carter Hutton has struggled in the 8 games he’s played in. In his 4 losses this season Hutton and the Sabres have lost: 4-0, 6-1, 4-1 and 5-1. Not exactly what you want out of your #1 goaltender.

The Flames have been an enigma so far this season and that also has fallen on the shoulders of the guy between the pipes. Much like Buffalo, Calgary’s best goaltending has come from their backup keeper David Rittich. Mike Smith was solid in Calgary’s 3-1 victory over the Maple Leafs, but he’s been very inconsistent on the young season. The Flames power play struggles could potentially be on the mend as they are 2-6 with the man advantage over their last 2 games, which is a huge improvement considering how they have played lately.

Team Leaders

Calgary Flames

Goals: Lindholm (8), Points: Gaudreau (15), PIM: Tkachuk (12), Save%: Rittich (.933)

Buffalo Sabres

Goals: Skinner (6), Points: Skinner (12), PIM: Okposo (18), Save%: Ullmark (.935)

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Buffalo Sabres Coverage: Die By The Blade

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 3 Toronto Maple Leafs 1 (recap)

Buffalo Sabres 4 Columbus Blue Jackets 5 (OT) (recap)

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Elias Lindholm: 8G, 4A, 6 points in his last 6 games.

Buffalo Sabres

Jack Eichel: 3G, 8A, 6 assists in his last 5 games.

by Mark Parkinson