Don’t mention Corsi or luck to the Flames right now . After feeling like they deserved a better fate in Toronto, they rolled into Buffalo and outshot the Sabres by a large margin – 45 to 19 to be exact – but left town with another frustrating and probably undeserved loss.
For a second night in a row, they found themselves down a goal late and were unable to find any last minute heroics. It was a solid effort for the most part, but give Buffalo credit for converting on their chances and finding a way to win.
Bottom line: a 4-3 defeat and their 3rd consecutive regulation loss.
The Flow
Thanks to Shaw Gateway, the only thing I can tell you about the first period is that the Flames outshot and out-chanced the Sabres, and dominated in the face-off circle. Shots were 11-5 but the period ended scoreless. Oh, and another fruitless breakaway for Byron.
Things got substantially more interesting in the 2nd. Buffalo came out with more jump and, after crosschecking Brodie off the puck, Ennis set up Moulson in front to make it 1-0. Some hockey-God justice put the Flames on a 5 on 3 and Wideman teed up Giordano for a laser off the post and in, 1-1. Buffalo regained the lead shortly after with a nice combination of fore-checking and passing that led to a cross-crease set up, finished by Foligno. Then a shot from the point off a face-off and a tip in, and it looked to be 3-1 but Foligno’s stick was clearly above the crossbar, so no goal. Shortly afterward, Jooris took it down the ice, got it out front, and Jones outworked the defenseman to get to the puck and put it past Enroth to tie the game again. Real nice effort from Jones. Shots after 2 were 27-12 but thanks to Enroth, it remained even.
The Flames came out with some good jump in the 3rd, and Brodie had a couple chances. Then Colborne with a spectacular play took the puck into the zone, around the net, and then out front to Monahan who had an easy finish for an absolute beauty. And the Flames finally had their first lead of the game.
It didn’t last though. Despite being outshot 34-13, Buffalo tied it after a defensive breakdown by the Flames, and really the only threatening shift the Sabres had managed to that point. But they gained momentum from that and quickly regained the lead, after another strong shift from the Ennis-Moulson-Girgensons line, even though it looked like it might have been kicked in.
The Flames had some good pressure the rest of the way, particularly from Gaudreau, and a great chance for Glencross in the final minute, but it wasn’t to be.
Three Stars
1.Tyler Ennis: Three assists, and he was the catalyst all night for the Sabres.
2.Jhonas Enroth: He was the difference throughout the game, frustrating the Flames and turning back rebounds right to the final buzzer.
3.Mark Giordano: It wasn’t just the goal – which was a howitzer – but he was his usual self, blocking shots, intercepting passes, setting up plays, and just doing lots of Giordano things.
Big Save
The breakaway against Byron? The big glove save on Hudler? Jooris point blank? The clutch save with seconds left and the goalie pulled on Glencross? Take your pick.
The Goat
Tough one. Just one of those nights where the Sabres were able to generate offense from the fore-check and the resulting pressure on the defense. Hard to put it on any one player. How about the organization for sending Ferland down?
Mr. Clutch
Enroth is the obvious choice but I am going to go with Joe Colborne who had a really strong game for his first action in more than a month. And his assist was a beautiful individual effort before he set up Monahan.
Odds and Ends
I had a bad feeling as they embarked on this road trip. All the talk about not losing 2 in a row, Corsi, puckluck, and unsustainability, it just seemed like they were due for some tough times. Well, they’re finding them now. It just seems oddly fitting that their most dominant night of the season on the shot clock would deliver them a loss. Oh, and let’s not forget those who have been lamenting the return of the vets: sure enough, they’re 0-3 since Stajan returned to the lineup and they are winless with he, Raymond, and Colborne back. This is their first 3-game losing streak since last January – which is incredible when you think about it. And needless to say, it was the longest such streak in the league. Was. And things aren’t going to get any easier as they jump on a plane and go straight to Pittsburgh for a back-to-backer, and then they’ll close out the road trip in Chicago. To call that a tough test would be an understatement. Despite the loss, it was a really good game for Colborne, being his first one in 5 weeks or so. And Gaudreau was doing his usual thing. Brodie had many really good shifts, but also found himself on the ice for at least 2 of Buffalo’s goals. I can’t say that Ramo was to blame for any of the 4 goals. Just a tough night.
Next Up
They’ll be right back at it tomorrow night when they face Crosby, Malkin, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. It isn’t going to get any easier.
Lines:
The blender was out, but for a starting point, let’s call it:
Paul Byron – Sean Monahan – Joe Colborne
Johnny Gaudreau – Josh Jooris – Jiri Hudler
Curtis Glencross – Markus Granlund – David Jones
Brandon Bollig – Lance Bouma – Mason Raymond
Mark Giordano – TJ Brodie
Kris Russell – Dennis Wideman
Deryk Engellend – Rapha Diaz
Kari Ramo
