Preview: Calgary Flames vs Buffalo Sabres, 1/16/19 (48/82): Flames Look For Season High 6th Straight Win

Calgary Flames vs Buffalo Sabres, 7:30 PM MT, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary AB

TV: ESPN+, SN360, SN1

Radio: Sportsnet 960

Calgary Flames 30-13-4 (64) – Buffalo Sabres 23-17-6 (52)

NHL Standings

A well rested Flames team will take the ice on Wednesday night to battle the Buffalo Sabres from the Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary last played on Sunday night and destroyed the Arizona Coyotes by the score of 7-1. The win was the Flames 5th straight, tying their season high for consecutive wins. The Flames, despite having two days off are still on top of the Western Conference, just one point ahead of the surging San Jose Sharks. Calgary can win their 6th straight tonight if they can take advantage of a reeling Buffalo Sabres team.

Buffalo sits in 9th place in the East and their recent play has landed them in that spot. The Sabres have lost 9 of their last 12, including a 3 game skid that was extended due to a 7-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. Buffalo has been outscored 16-8 during those three games and have scored under three goals in seven of those nine losses.

Buffalo has been strong at home, but their Achilles heel has been the road. Away from the KeyBank Center the Sabres are 9-11-3 and their five road trip isn’t going to do them any favours. They’ve already lost to Edmonton and after Calgary Buffalo has to travel to Vancouver, Columbus and Dallas.

These two last met on October 30th with the Flames getting a 2-1 OTW in Buffalo. Calgary is 4-1-0 in their last five games at the Dome against Buffalo and the Flames 15-4-4 home record won’t make this any easier on the Sabres.

Starting Goalies (E=Expected, C=Confirmed)

Flames: Rittich (E)- 17-4-3, 2.45 GAA, .920 Save%

Sabres: Hutton (E)- 14-14-3, 2.75 GAA, .912 Save%

Team Leaders

Flames: Goals- Gaudreau (27), Points- Gaudreau (69), PIM- Bennett (70), Save%- Rittich (.920)

Sabres: Goals- Skinner (30), Points- Eichel (49), PIM- Bogosian (42), Save%- Ullmark (.918)

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Buffalo Sabres Coverage: Die By The Blade

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 7 – Arizona Coyotes 1

Buffalo Sabres 2 – Edmonton Oilers 7

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Matthew Tkachuk (F): 23G – 31A, 7 points in last 5 games

Buffalo Sabres

Rasmus Dahlin (D): 4G – 21A, 5 assists in last 5 games

by Mark Parkinson