The Buffalo Sabres came into tonight’s game versus the Calgary Flames looking to turn around their bad luck at the First Niagara Center.
The first order of business for the Sabres tonight was to get shots on net and the Sabres got shots aplenty on Flames goaltender Henrik Karlsson.
The Sabres came out in the first period and applied as much pressure as they possibly could on the Flames. The missed opportunities were very evident for the Sabres but 7:59 into the first period, Drew Stafford tallied his 4th goal of the season which put the Sabres up 1-0.
After one period, the Sabres led in shots, 19-8. Lindy Ruff’s message to the team seemed to translate to the ice. The Sabres needed to play a tough game while putting as many shots on net as possible.
Coming into the second period, the Sabres led by one and they were looking to put more pressure on Calgary. The Sabres had a little over a 2-to-1 shot lead in this period, putting 19 shots on net, but they were unable to add to their lead.
In the third period, that inability to score would be changed early. Nathan Gerbe was the man who turned up the heat on the Flames and put Buffalo up 2-1, with his 3rd goal of the season, 1:45 into the second period.
Four minutes later, the Alex Tanguay would score for the Flames to bring Buffalo’s lead back to one. Although the Flames tried to get themselves back into this game, they were unable to come back.
The Sabres, behind another impressive performance by goaltender Jhonas Enroth, won 2-1, for the second time at the First Niagara Center this year.
The Buffalo Sabres will play again tomorrow night versus the Ottawa Senators in Ottawa. The puck drops at 7 PM on MSG.
Game Notes:
– The Sabres outshot the Flames, 44-29. Forward Brad Boyes led the Sabres with 6 shots.
– Buffalo’s penalty kill was 3-for-3, which puts them at 40 of 43 penalties killed this season. That puts the Sabres penalty kill at 93 percent through 12 games, which currently has them first in the league.
– Rookie Corey Tropp played 6:19 tonight and was held scoreless in his first career NHL game.
– Forward Thomas Vanek was held scoreless for only the second time in 12 games.