Game #72

Buffalo Sabres (33-33-5) vs. Calgary Flames (33-31-5)

Puck Drop: 9:00 PM ET | Scotiabank Saddledome | Calgary, AB

TV: MSG

Radio: WGR-550

Know Your Opponent 

Calgary Flames

Record: 33-31-5

Last Game: 4-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks

Division Ranking: 5th, Pacific

PP: 14.5% (30rd)

PK: 83.2% (5th)

What To Watch For

1. Similar Paths

The Sabres and Flames are in fairly similar positions right now, albeit in different conferences. Buffalo is eight points out of a wildcard spot as of writing, with 71 points on the season. The Flames, in a slightly higher-caliber Western Conference, are 12 points out of a wildcard spot with the same number of points. Both teams know that it’s going to take a lot to move up in the standings – though Calgary has two more games left than Buffalo – and the team’s playoff hopes ride on every game’s outcome.`

2. The Leaders

Nazem Kadri leads the Flames with 59 points, including a team-high 36 assists, while Blake Coleman and Yegor Sharangovich each have 28 goals. Both Coleman and Sharangovich have reached the 50-point marker, while Jonathan Huberdeau (43 points) isn’t too far behind.

For the Sabres, Rasmus Dahlin is the lone player to have eclipsed the 50-point marker. Alex Tuch (47 points), Jeff Skinner (45 points), JJ Peterka and Tage Thompson (each with 43 points) could also hit the mark this season. Skinner’s 24 goals lead the team, while Dahlin’s 35 assists are tops.

3. Almost Time to Head Home

Tonight’s game marks the end of a five-game road trip for the Sabres, who are 1-3 on the trip entering this evening. Now, we’re heading into the home stretch of the season, both literally and figuratively. Buffalo’s next five games will be at KeyBank Center, starting with Wednesday night against Ottawa. They’ll also face the Devils, Leafs, Capitals and Flyers in this stretch.

Projected Lineups

Buffalo Sabres

Forwards 

JJ Peterka – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch
Jordan Greenway – Dylan Cozens – Zach Benson
Jeff Skinner – Peyton Krebs – Zemgus Girgensons
Lukas Rousek – Eric Robinson – Victor Olofsson

Defense

Bowen Byram – Rasmus Dahlin
Owen Power – Henri Jokiharju
Jacob Bryson – Connor Clifton

Goaltenders: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (projected starter), Eric Comrie

Calgary Flames

Forwards

Jonathan Huberdeau – Yegor Sharangovich – Andrei Kuzmenko
Connor Zary – Martin Pospisil
Andrew Mangiapane – Mikael Backlund – Blake Coleman
A.J. Greer – Kevin Rooney – Dryden Hunt

Defense

Oliver Kylington – Rasmus Andersson
Mackenzie Weegar – Daniil Miromanov
Joel Hanley – Brayden Pachal

Goaltenders: Dustin Wolf, Jacob Markstrom