Sabres Aim for Third Straight Win Against Struggling Flames

Buffalo, NY – The Buffalo Sabres are looking for their third consecutive victory as they face the Calgary Flames on Wednesday at KeyBank Center. The match is set to begin at 7:30 p.m., following the Sabres’ impressive 5-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Monday.

Noah Ostlund scored two goals in the previous game, and the Sabres’ defense effectively kept Connor McDavid from registering any points. Meanwhile, the Flames are in last place in the NHL standings with only 13 points and a dismal record of 2-9-1 on the road. They are coming off a 5-2 loss against the Chicago Blackhawks the day before.

The Sabres held a practice on Tuesday, maintaining the same lineup that defeated Edmonton, except for missing Mattias Samuelsson and Jordan Greenway, who were given maintenance days. Both players participated in the optional morning skate and are expected to play against Calgary. Colten Ellis will make his third consecutive start in goal after a strong performance against the Oilers.

Tage Thompson has been on fire, scoring five points over the last three games, including a goal in each match. Playing at center for the first time this season, Thompson noted that he feels better able to control the game’s tempo in that position. Coach Lindy Ruff acknowledged Thompson’s effectiveness in the center role, despite a prior shift to wing that saw him score 44 goals last season.

The Flames might introduce John Beecher to their lineup, a first-round draft pick from 2019, who was claimed off waivers from the Boston Bruins. Beecher has scored 11 goals in 136 NHL games. Despite their strong even-strength statistics, the Flames face challenges, ranking last in the league for total goals scored and holding the worst shooting percentage.

Devin Cooley, who previously played within the Sabres organization, is expected to start as goaltender for the Flames. With a promising .935 save percentage over five games, he could be the key to improving Calgary’s fortunes. As both teams aim to enhance their standings, hockey fans will be watching closely to see how the matchup unfolds.