The Buffalo Sabres salvaged a highway journey and saved their faint playoff hopes alive with Sunday’s 4-1 win over the host Calgary Flames.
Tage Thompson led the Sabres (34-33-5) with a aim and an help. Buffalo improved to 5-4-1 in its final 10 video games and closed out a 2-3 highway journey with a victory.
JJ Peterka scored the third-period game-winner and Peyton Krebs from close by Okotoks, Alta., additionally scored for Buffalo. Thompson and defenceman Connor Clifton every contributed an empty-net aim.
Buffalo Sabres ahead JJ Peterka (77) celebrates his aim with teammate ahead Tage Thompson (72) as Calgary Flames ahead Mikael Backlund (11) skates away throughout third interval NHL hockey motion in Calgary, Alta., Sunday, March 24, 2024.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
The Sabres gave up 5 targets within the third interval to the Oilers to fall 8-3 in Edmonton on Thursday.
“We had a sport in Edmonton the place we have been going into the third tied and sort of let that one slip away and get away from us,” Thompson mentioned. “In the same state of affairs tonight and it was a superb alternative for us to reply and clear up the errors we made final (sport).
“It’s been a tricky journey. Performed a number of good groups. I assumed we performed some actually good hockey and had some stretches the place not adequate, not glad. Good to move house with a win beneath out belt and hold that momentum going into our subsequent one.”
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Buffalo goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 32 saves within the victory and assisted on Clifton’s empty-netter.
Jonathan Huberdeau countered for Calgary (33-32-5) of their second loss in as many nights after dropping a 4-2 resolution to the Canucks in Vancouver.
“I get disillusioned about these final two video games extra so than something as a result of these have been winnable video games for us,” Flames head coach Ryan Huska mentioned. “We didn’t discover a method to get it achieved.”
Flames starter Dustin Wolf turned away 25 of 27 photographs in entrance of an introduced 16,497 on the Saddledome to go 2-2 since his most up-to-date name up from the American Hockey League.
Each Calgary and Buffalo have been watching the final wild-card playoff spot of their respective conferences develop into distant.
With 10 video games remaining of their common season, the Sabres have been six factors again of the Washington Capitals holding down the final berth within the East.
“With a view to get there, we’ve received to maintain the following sport,” Thompson mentioned. “Brief-term mindset, too. A brief reminiscence. The loss in Edmonton, we will’t dwell on that. We did a terrific job responding tonight.”
Buffalo has completed exterior the post-season the final 12 years.
With a dozen video games remaining, the Flames have been 12 factors again of the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights within the last wild-card berth within the West.
The Flames each overhauled its again finish and built-in new gamers this season with trades of defencemen Nikita Zadorov (Vancouver), Chris Tanev (Dallas) and Noah Hanifin (Vegas), which introduced forwards Yegor Sharangovich and Andrei Kuzmenko and defenceman Daniil Miromanov to Calgary.
“We’re making progress, however we’re not constant. That’s the issue,” Flames defenceman Oliver Kylington mentioned. “On this league, when you’re not constant, each crew can beat you.”
Peterka’s go-ahead aim at 11:04 of the third interval was because of a heavy forecheck by the dual towers of Thompson and Alex Tuch, who’re each over six-foot-four. Thompson stepped out from behind the web to feed Peterka within the slot.
Thompson prolonged his level streak to a season-high 5 video games with three targets and 4 assists in that span.
Huberdeau’s power-play aim at 10:35 of the second interval knotted the rating 1-1. Buffalo scored on its first shot of the sport at 4:53 of the primary interval.
Krebs, 23, scored his first aim since Jan. 11 for his fourth of the season.
“It’s simply good to attain basically whether or not I’m right here or anyplace else,” Krebs mentioned. “With my household right here, it’s particular.”
Simon remembered
The Flames honoured ahead Chris Simon earlier than the sport with a video montage and a second of silence.
The ahead died March 18 at age 52 by what his household mentioned was a suicide. Simon performed two seasons in Calgary, together with the Flames’ run to the Stanley Cup last in 2004. He scored 5 targets throughout these playoffs.
Up subsequent
Calgary: Heads out on a two-game highway journey beginning Tuesday in Chicago.
Buffalo: Heads house to host the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday.
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