Flames Aim to Solidify Playoff Position Against Sabres

CALGARY, Alberta — The Calgary Flames return to home ice Thursday night to face the Buffalo Sabres at Scotiabank Saddledome, looking to strengthen their position in the Western Conference wild card race. With seven of their next 10 games at home, the Flames aim to capitalize on their strong home record and create separation in the standings before the upcoming 4 Nations break.

Calgary currently holds the final wild card spot in the Western Conference with 51 points, one point ahead of Vancouver and St. Louis. The Flames have played fewer games than both teams, giving them a crucial advantage. Only the Los Angeles Kings and Winnipeg Jets have fewer regulation home losses than Calgary this season, making their upcoming home-heavy schedule a key opportunity.

“We want to go into this 4 Nations break with as much separation as we can get,” said Flames forward Blake Coleman. “We’ve got seven home games and three road games coming up. It’s a good opportunity for us to try to put some separation in the standings.” Coleman has been a standout performer in January, leading the team with eight points (2 goals, 6 assists) in eight games.

Head coach Ryan Huska praised Coleman’s consistency and leadership. “He’s always the same player. The bigger the game, the more he raises his level,” Huska said. “That’s why he’s such an important player in our room.”

The Sabres, meanwhile, arrive in Calgary as the third stop on a four-game Pacific Division road trip. Buffalo is coming off a 3-2 comeback win against the Vancouver Canucks, with Jiri Kulich and J.J. Peterka leading the charge. Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 32 saves, including a crucial stop in the final seconds to secure the victory.

Buffalo sits 16th in the Eastern Conference, four points behind the New York Islanders and 11 points out of a wild card spot. Despite their struggles, the Sabres have shown improvement, going 7-6-2 since ending a 13-game losing streak in December. Tage Thompson leads the team with 21 goals and 39 points, while Jason Zucker has been a key contributor on the road with 11 goals.

Tonight’s game marks the second meeting between the two teams this season. Buffalo won the first matchup 3-2 in a shootout on Nov. 9. Jonathan Huberdeau, who leads all active Flames with 41 points in 38 games against the Sabres, will look to make an impact. Meanwhile, Jakob Pelletier, who scored his first NHL goal against Buffalo in 2023, enters the game with four points in his last four contests.

Flames rookie Rory Kerins is expected to make his home debut after impressing with four assists in his first four NHL games. On the Sabres’ side, Thompson brings a six-game point streak against Calgary, including goals in four consecutive matchups.

Puck drop is set for 9 p.m. EST at Scotiabank Saddledome, with the game broadcast on MSG and Sportsnet 1.