In Buffalo, Jacob Markstrom made 27 saves in his fifth shutout of the season as the Calgary Flames downed the Sabres, 5-0, on Thursday night.
“He’s one of our leaders, he’s one of our core guys,” Flames head coach Darryl Sutter said of Markstrom. “It’s not always easy to do from that position because guys are sort of on their island a little bit, but he brings a lot to the locker room.”
Johnny Gaudreau and Andrew Mangiapane each hit for two goals in the win.
Matthew Tkachuk had a goal and three points in the win.
“We got off to an early lead, and didn’t really look back,” Tkachuk said. “In the third, we were kind of just playing for ‘Marky’ there. He also did a great job but was tested more than we’d like. … But all in all, just a solid game. And anytime you are up 5-0 after two, you are in a good spot for the third.”
Calgary improved to 9-3-5.
“I think we were playing a good, solid game,” Mangiapane said. “I think we wanted to come out strong, fast, and set the tempo. Score the first goal and go on from there. … And that’s what we did tonight.”
The Flames had a 1-0 lead in the first period and hit for four more in the middle frame.
Buffalo dropped to 7-7-2.
“Obviously, that’s not what we want to do and how we want to play,” the Sabres’ Vinnie Hinostroza said. “Kind of an embarrassing effort at home and it’s not up to our standard, so obviously we’re all going to be upset about it. … We’re definitely not hitting the panic button.”
Dustin Tokarski made 18 saves through the second period, he was given the hook in the second intermission.
“This is one night we really didn’t support him,” Buffalo head coach Don Granato said. “The other night, aside from breakaways we limited second chances and pushed shots pretty well. … So yeah, that was a tough night. Dustin was not the issue. In front of him was the issue.”
Aaron Dell iced the third period and made 10 saves.
“I think clearly we lacked intensity after that and I think it was hesitation was probably a better way to describe it,” Granato said. “It was not a good goal at the end of a penalty kill. It was a simple play … just uncharacteristic of us to not be aware of that lateral play coming across.
“… So we didn’t react competitively from that point, and that tells me it was the whole mood of the night. The guys just didn’t feel themselves. Those moments deflate you when you don’t feel you have your energy or you don’t feel your game.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.