Post-Game: Flames grind out a point against Buffalo

The Calgary Flames weren’t great on Wednesday evening at the Scotiabank Saddledome. They played a fast, desperate Buffalo Sabres squad. But the Flames managed to eke out a point, losing 4-3 in overtime in a game they probably could’ve lost by a few goals.

The Sabres were full of pep to open this game. Jack Eichel got a breakaway and hit the post 19 seconds into the period. He had another golden chance in the first period from the slot, but missed the net.

The Flames opened the scoring late in the period off a power play. They drew a penalty with 48 seconds left in the period and were generally not great, but Elias Lindholm broke into the zone with the clock winding down and his shot rebounded to Johnny Gaudreau, who buried it with one second remaining to give the Flames a 1-0 lead.

Shots were 13-11 Flames in the first, but scoring chances were 10-3 Sabres.

The Flames were better in the second period, but made a few key gaffes that led to Buffalo tying the game. After a good penalty kill, the top line and top pairing got some extended zone time in the Sabres end and some scoring chances. But Casey Mittelstadt sprung a pass to Evan Rodrigues (who snuck behind the defense) and Rodrigues beat David Rittich five-hole on the ensuing breakaway to make it a 1-1 hockey game.

Shots were 9-8 Sabres in the second, with chances 8-6 Flames.

The Flames took the lead midway through the third with another power play goal. Some nice cross-ice passing allowed Lindholm to bank the puck in off Matthew Tkachuk’s stick, parked at the top of the crease. That made it 2-1 Flames.

But the Sabres tied it up a little bit later. Rasmus Dahlin’s point shot deflected off Michael Frolik, knuckle-balled, and beat Rittich to make it 2-2.

The Sabres took the lead a few minutes later, as Lindholm coughed the puck up in the Flames’ zone and Jake McCabe’s wrist shot found a way through traffic (and Rittich) to make it 3-2 Buffalo.

But Flames tied things up, as Lindholm parked himself in front of Ullmark and Noah Hanifin’s shot from the point found a way through traffic to make it 3-3.

Shots were 12-2 Flames (and both Buffalo shots went in) and scoring chances 9-1 Flames.

The Flames had an early look, but couldn’t bury it. Eichel scored off the rush in overtime to make it a 4-3 Sabres win.

The Flames weren’t great on this occasion. They gave up a lot of chances off the rush, and you could say they were guilty of being both a bit too casual defensively and a bit too cute offensively. It also doesn’t help that Ullmark was very strong in net for the Sabres.

Their power play was good, though, and it was good enough for them to get a point.

The two best players on the ice were the two goaltenders. Rittich was sharp frequently, especially early on as the Flames tried to find their legs defensively.

He wasn’t perfect, mind you, but he gave his team a chance.

The pair of Buffalo goals in the third period were a result of some iffy Flames defensive play, and led to them chasing late in the game. When you’re a division-leading team and have a 2-1 lead with just over half a period left, you have to figure out how to lock things down. The Flames couldn’t quite do that.

This was Derek Ryan’s 200th NHL game.

The Flames are now 23-1-3 when entering the third period leading or tied.

The Flames (30-13-5) practice tomorrow. They host the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night.