For the first time this season the Calgary Flames are riding a three-game winning streak.
They'll be looking to make it four in a row tonight as they continue their effort to climb out of the big early season hole they dug themselves.
Standing in the way will be a Buffalo Sabres team that has hit a wall of late.
They've won just three of their last 10 games and have struggled mightily in possession generating just 45.4% of shot attempts at 5 vs 5. They rank 4th last in that span only ahead of the Arizona Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche and Columbus Blue Jackets; all of whom are currently on the outside of the playoff picture looking in.
The Flames, meanwhile, rank 15th in the NHL in that category having generated a respectable 49.9% of shot attempts in that span.
The Flames are far from a perfect team but the biggest problem for them of late has been goaltending. Karri Ramo was good last time out against the San Jose Sharks but over the last couple weeks he's given more sub par efforts than good ones.
If he can put together a decent start tonight and the Flames and Sabres continue to play the way they have of late it should be another good night for Calgary.
LINEUPS Gaudreau - Monahan - Jones Bennett - Granlund - Hudler Raymond - Backlund - Frolik Bollig - Stajan - Colborne
Giordano - Brodie Wideman - Hamilton Smid - Engelland
Ramo
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Kane - O'Reilly - Reinhart Gionta - Eichel - McGinn Larsson - Girgensons - Moulson Deslauriers - Legwand - Foligno
Gorges - Ristolainen Colaiacovo - Bogosian McCabe - Franson
Ullmark/Johnson
GAME NOTES 1) The Flames have scored 12 goals in their last three games. The Sabres have allowed 15 in their last four. With Dougie Hamilton and Mark Giordano starting to produce the way they can the Flames' offense is much more potent. It would appear they're catching the Sabres at the right time.
2) Evander Kane enters the night having tallied four goals, six points and 19 shots in the last five games. He's been playing very well on a line with Ryan O'Reilly and is a guy the Flames need to pay special attention to.
3) The Flames' penalty kill ranks 30th in the NHL while the Sabres' ranks 27th. Discipline will be very important for both teams in this one.
The game is at 9 eastern and can be seen on Sportsnet 360 and MSG-Buffalo.
Recent posts: Flames make it three in a row with win over Sharks