Sabres Earn Third-Straight Win in Shootout Over Flames

The Calgary Flames clogged the neutral zone, but the Buffalo Sabres fought through it in their 3-2 shootout victory. In low-event hockey, the Sabres controlled the first two periods of the game, getting the better of the Flames in shot attempts and shot quality. Calgary answered in the third to find the equalizer, but ultimately, it wasn’t enough.

Zach Benson scored the first goal of the game just 1:11 in, continuing Buffalo’s recent trend of striking early in periods. Tage Thompson unleashed a powerplay one-timer past Flames goalie Dan Vladar to give the Sabres a two-goal lead heading into the second period.

The Flames responded late in the second on a backdoor play to Matt Coronato, putting them within striking distance. The heavy third period saw Mikael Backlund tie the game for Calgary, putting a shot over Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s shoulder.

The Sabres fought through a penalty with 1:20 left in overtime to force a shootout. JJ Peterka scored the lone goal in the shootout to seal the victory for Buffalo.

Highs and Lows

The win marks the second three-game win streak of the season for the Sabres. It’s been an up-and-down season so far, with the most recent three-game losing streak now sandwiched between two three-game win streaks.

Buffalo also started the season on a three-game losing streak, so the battle to find consistency is apparent.

“When you get on a roll, you want to stay on a role,” head coach Lindy Ruff said. “When you get in this situation and you have a chance to keep rolling, you want to keep it going.”

Different Ways to Win

The Sabres have won their last three games all in different ways, with this one over the Flames less free-flowing.

“You got to be uncomfortable being uncomfortable,” Ruff said. “The game got uncomfortable, and you have to trust how you’re playing.”

Calgary was much less aggressive on the forecheck than the New York Rangers were on Saturday, dropping players back into the neutral zone and causing low-event hockey. The Sabres fought through the trap, putting the puck in safe areas and not letting the Flames do anything dangerous on the counter-attack.

Thompson Continues to Shine

Tage Thompson continues to show he’s a force up front for the Sabres. Not only did he notch his first powerplay goal of the season, but he also led Buffalo in expected goals-for percentage at even strength.

Thompson’s consistent dominance is a major weapon in the Sabres’ arsenal. He has a goal in three straight games and has a point in 12 of Buffalo’s 15 games this season.

If the Sabres keep winning and he keeps up this pace, the chatter around Thompson being among the best in the NHL is going to start to reach league-wide circles.

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