With Craig Anderson injured, Dustin Tokarski has taken the reins in net for Buffalo, recording a career-high 45 saves in Tuesday's win against Pittsburgh.
The Calgary Flames have had mixed success on a long road trip and make their lone visit this season to Buffalo on Thursday night.
Calgary opened as a -170 favourite to win on the NHL odds with a total of 6.0 goals.
Flames vs. Sabres NHL Betting Odds
Thursday is the fifth game of a seven-game road trip for Calgary and the Flames have gotten at least a point in three of them. The atmosphere they see on Thursday in Buffalo will be nothing like what they will see Saturday as the New York Islanders get set to play their first home game of the season in their new billion-dollar arena.
Buffalo has been the NHL’s worst-run franchise for about a decade as the Sabres haven’t made the post-season since 2011. They are better this year so far and finally got rid of the Jack Eichel headache, not long ago trading their former franchise player to Vegas. The team’s No. 1 goaltender is former Ottawa Senator Craig Anderson, but he’s currently injured and thus not likely to start Thursday.
Calgary hosts Buffalo on March 18. The teams didn’t play last season, while the Flames won both the season before. The favourite is 16-4 in the past 20 meetings. The over is 7-3 in the previous 10.
Calgary Flames
Calgary lost for the sixth time in eight games Tuesday, 2-1 in overtime at Philadelphia. Oliver Kylington’s third goal of the season gave the Flames the 1-0 lead midway through the first period but they lost it at 4:37 of the second. Cam Atkinson won the game at 0:45 of OT. Johnny Gaudreau was clearly fired up playing in plenty of friends and family – he grew up not far away in New Jersey — as he had a career-high 10 shots on goal but didn’t score. Jacob Markstrom allowed two goals on 43 shots to fall to 5-3-4 with a 1.82 goals-against average and .938 save percentage. He should be back in there Thursday. Calgary is 8-1-2 against Eastern Conference opponents this year. It is 6-13 in its past 19 playing on one day of rest.
Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo has followed a five-game losing streak by winning two of three, off a 2-1 upset victory in Pittsburgh on Tuesday. As noted above, No. 1 netminder Craig Anderson is hurt so Dustin Tokarski is the temporary No. 1 and he was terrific Tuesday with a career-high 45 saves (second-most in league this season) to improve to 3-3-2 with a 2.71 GAA and .920 SV. Colin Miller had his second goal of the year and Kyle Okposo his fourth. The Sabres are also without the likes of forwards Victor Olofsson (undisclosed), Alex Tuch (shoulder), Casey Mittelstadt (upper body) and defenceman Henri Jokiharju (lower body) with injuries. Tuch was part of the package back from Vegas in the Jack Eichel trade. Buffalo is 6-14 in its past 20 after a win.
NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Flames vs. Sabres?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 17 Nov 6:26pm | CAL | -1.5 +142 | O +5.5 -108 |
| Closing 18 Nov 9:41pm | CAL | -1.5 +140 | U +5.5 -121 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Flames Team Leaders
| Points |
115 |
| + / - |
64 |
| Shots |
262 |
| Penalty Mins |
84 |
| Wins |
37 |
| GAA |
2.22 |
| Points |
68 |
| + / - |
3 |
| Shots |
262 |
| Penalty Mins |
84 |
| Wins |
17 |
| GAA |
2 |
| Points |
14 |
| + / - |
6 |
| Shots |
52 |
| Penalty Mins |
31 |
| Wins |
5 |
| GAA |
2.95 |
| Points | |
| + / - | |
| Shots | Did not qualify |
| Penalty Mins | |
| Wins | |
| GAA |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Sabres Team Leaders
| Points |
115 |
| + / - |
64 |
| Shots |
262 |
| Penalty Mins |
84 |
| Wins |
37 |
| GAA |
2.22 |
| Points |
68 |
| + / - |
3 |
| Shots |
262 |
| Penalty Mins |
84 |
| Wins |
17 |
| GAA |
2 |
| Points |
14 |
| + / - |
6 |
| Shots |
52 |
| Penalty Mins |
31 |
| Wins |
5 |
| GAA |
2.95 |
| Points | |
| + / - | |
| Shots | Did not qualify |
| Penalty Mins | |
| Wins | |
| GAA |
Injuries
Christopher Tanev (D)
Nikita Zadorov (D)
Brett Ritchie (RW)
Michael Stone (D)
Trevor Lewis (C)
Jacob Markstrom (G)
Noah Hanifin (D)
Christopher Tanev (D)
Nikita Zadorov (D)
Erik Gudbranson (D)
Kyle Okposo (RW)
Vinnie Hinostroza (LW)
Craig Anderson (G)
Cody Eakin (C)
Cody Eakin (C)
Mattias Samuelsson (D)
Mattias Samuelsson (D)
Colin Miller (D)
John Hayden (LW)
Casey Fitzgerald (D)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christopher Tanev (D) | Ques Tues | Lower Body - 14 / 05 / 22 | 2-5 | 4-2-1 | + - |
|
Tanev is hampered by a lower-body injury, and it is undetermined if he will face the Oilers in Game 4 of the Western Conference second round. |
|||||
| Nikita Zadorov (D) | Ques Sun | Poss. Suspension - 14 / 05 / 22 | 2-5 | 4-2-1 | + - |
|
Zadorov is facing a potential suspension for a high hit, and it is unclear if he will be available for Game 7 of the Western Conference first round versus the Stars. |
|||||
| Brett Ritchie (RW) | Ques Sun | Undisclosed - 11 / 05 / 22 | 3-5 | 4-3-1 | + - |
|
Ritchie is managing an unknown issue, and it is unclear if he will participate in Game 7 of the Western Conference first round versus the Stars. |
|||||
| Michael Stone (D) | Ques Wed | Undisclosed - 11 / 05 / 22 | 3-5 | 4-3-1 | + - |
|
Stone is bothered by an unspecified ailment, and it remains to be seen if he will face the Stars in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round. |
|||||
| Trevor Lewis (C) | Out indefinitely | Personal - 28 / 04 / 22 | 4-10 | 6-7-1 | + - |
|
Lewis is away from the team for the birth of his child, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
| Jacob Markstrom (G) | Out Sat | Rest - 23 / 04 / 22 | 6-10 | 7-7-2 | + - |
|
Markstrom will not be active against the Canucks on Saturday, as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Noah Hanifin (D) | Ques Thurs | Lower Body - 20 / 04 / 22 | 6-11 | 7-8-2 | + - |
|
Hanifin is tending to a lower-body injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Stars on Thursday. |
|||||
| Christopher Tanev (D) | Ques Sat | Head - 14 / 04 / 22 | 9-12 | 11-8-2 | + - |
|
Tanev was removed from the last contest due to a head injury, and it is unknown if he will face the Coyotes on Saturday. |
|||||
| Nikita Zadorov (D) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 08 / 04 / 22 | 12-12 | 11-10-3 | + - |
|
Zadorov sat out the last contest with an undefined issue, and it has yet to be established if he will battle Kraken on Saturday. |
|||||
| Erik Gudbranson (D) | Prob Thurs | Undisclosed - 08 / 04 / 22 | 12-12 | 11-10-3 | + - |
|
Gudbranson has missed the previous three contests due to an unknown issue, but it is projected that he will suit up for Thursday's game against the Golden Knights. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Okposo (RW) | Out Fri | Ankle - 25 / 04 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Okposo sat out the previous game with a left ankle injury, and he will not suit up for Friday's tilt with the Blackhawks. |
|||||
| Vinnie Hinostroza (LW) | Prob Thurs | Personal - 25 / 04 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Hinostroza is tending to a personal matter, but it is anticipated that he will take part in Thursday's matchup versus the Bruins. |
|||||
| Craig Anderson (G) | Ques Fri | Undisclosed - 23 / 04 / 22 | 2-1 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Anderson has sat out the last two games with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will be available for Friday's contest against the Blackhawks. |
|||||
| Cody Eakin (C) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 16 / 04 / 22 | 3-3 | 5-1 | + - |
|
Eakin is out of the lineup with an illness, and it is unknown how long he will be debilitated. |
|||||
| Cody Eakin (C) | Ques Thurs | Undisclosed - 14 / 04 / 22 | 4-3 | 5-1-1 | + - |
|
Eakin has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury, and it is up in the air if he will partake in Thursday's tilt versus the Blues. |
|||||
| Mattias Samuelsson (D) | Ques Sat | Lower Body - 14 / 04 / 22 | 4-3 | 5-1-1 | + - |
|
Samuelsson sat out the last contest with a lower-body injury, and it remains to be seen if he will face the Flyers on Saturday. |
|||||
| Mattias Samuelsson (D) | Prob Fri | Undisclosed - 30 / 03 / 22 | 9-6 | 9-4-2 | + - |
|
Samuelsson sat out the last game with an undisclosed issue, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Predators on Friday. |
|||||
| Colin Miller (D) | Ques Sun | Conditioning - 27 / 03 / 22 | 11-6 | 11-4-2 | + - |
|
Miller has cleared the COVID-19 protocol, and it remains to be seen if he will take on the Panthers on Sunday. |
|||||
| John Hayden (LW) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 20 / 03 / 22 | 14-6 | 12-6-2 | + - |
|
Hayden is going through the COVID-19 protocol, and he will miss an extended period. |
|||||
| Casey Fitzgerald (D) | Ques Sun | Upper Body - 10 / 03 / 22 | 16-8 | 14-7-3 | + - |
|
Fitzgerald has been activated from the injured reserve list after recovering from an upper-body issue, and it is unclear if he will return to the ice against the Rangers on Sunday. |
|||||
-
CALGARY FLAMES
3 -
BUFFALO SABRES
2
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 17 Nov 6:26pm CAL -1.5 +142 O +5.5 -108 Closing 18 Nov 9:41pm CAL -1.5 +140 U +5.5 -121 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Flames Team Leaders
Points 115
+ / - 64
Shots 262
Penalty Mins 84
Wins 37
GAA 2.22
Points 68
+ / - 3
Shots 262
Penalty Mins 84
Wins 17
GAA 2
Points 14
+ / - 6
Shots 52
Penalty Mins 31
Wins 5
GAA 2.95
Points + / - Shots Did not qualify Penalty Mins Wins GAA -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Sabres Team Leaders
Points 115
+ / - 64
Shots 262
Penalty Mins 84
Wins 37
GAA 2.22
Points 68
+ / - 3
Shots 262
Penalty Mins 84
Wins 17
GAA 2
Points 14
+ / - 6
Shots 52
Penalty Mins 31
Wins 5
GAA 2.95
Points + / - Shots Did not qualify Penalty Mins Wins GAA -
Injuries
Christopher Tanev (D)
Ques Tues Lower Body - 14 / 05 / 22Nikita Zadorov (D)
Ques Sun Poss. Suspension - 14 / 05 / 22Brett Ritchie (RW)
Ques Sun Undisclosed - 11 / 05 / 22Michael Stone (D)
Ques Wed Undisclosed - 11 / 05 / 22Trevor Lewis (C)
Out indefinitely Personal - 28 / 04 / 22Jacob Markstrom (G)
Out Sat Rest - 23 / 04 / 22Noah Hanifin (D)
Ques Thurs Lower Body - 20 / 04 / 22Christopher Tanev (D)
Ques Sat Head - 14 / 04 / 22Nikita Zadorov (D)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 08 / 04 / 22Erik Gudbranson (D)
Prob Thurs Undisclosed - 08 / 04 / 22Kyle Okposo (RW)
Out Fri Ankle - 25 / 04 / 22Vinnie Hinostroza (LW)
Prob Thurs Personal - 25 / 04 / 22Craig Anderson (G)
Ques Fri Undisclosed - 23 / 04 / 22Cody Eakin (C)
Out indefinitely Illness - 16 / 04 / 22Cody Eakin (C)
Ques Thurs Undisclosed - 14 / 04 / 22Mattias Samuelsson (D)
Ques Sat Lower Body - 14 / 04 / 22Mattias Samuelsson (D)
Prob Fri Undisclosed - 30 / 03 / 22Colin Miller (D)
Ques Sun Conditioning - 27 / 03 / 22John Hayden (LW)
Out indefinitely Illness - 20 / 03 / 22Casey Fitzgerald (D)
Ques Sun Upper Body - 10 / 03 / 22Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Christopher Tanev (D) Ques Tues Lower Body - 14 / 05 / 22 2-5 4-2-1 + - Tanev is hampered by a lower-body injury, and it is undetermined if he will face the Oilers in Game 4 of the Western Conference second round.
Nikita Zadorov (D) Ques Sun Poss. Suspension - 14 / 05 / 22 2-5 4-2-1 + - Zadorov is facing a potential suspension for a high hit, and it is unclear if he will be available for Game 7 of the Western Conference first round versus the Stars.
Brett Ritchie (RW) Ques Sun Undisclosed - 11 / 05 / 22 3-5 4-3-1 + - Ritchie is managing an unknown issue, and it is unclear if he will participate in Game 7 of the Western Conference first round versus the Stars.
Michael Stone (D) Ques Wed Undisclosed - 11 / 05 / 22 3-5 4-3-1 + - Stone is bothered by an unspecified ailment, and it remains to be seen if he will face the Stars in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round.
Trevor Lewis (C) Out indefinitely Personal - 28 / 04 / 22 4-10 6-7-1 + - Lewis is away from the team for the birth of his child, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Jacob Markstrom (G) Out Sat Rest - 23 / 04 / 22 6-10 7-7-2 + - Markstrom will not be active against the Canucks on Saturday, as he will be given a day of rest.
Noah Hanifin (D) Ques Thurs Lower Body - 20 / 04 / 22 6-11 7-8-2 + - Hanifin is tending to a lower-body injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Stars on Thursday.
Christopher Tanev (D) Ques Sat Head - 14 / 04 / 22 9-12 11-8-2 + - Tanev was removed from the last contest due to a head injury, and it is unknown if he will face the Coyotes on Saturday.
Nikita Zadorov (D) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 08 / 04 / 22 12-12 11-10-3 + - Zadorov sat out the last contest with an undefined issue, and it has yet to be established if he will battle Kraken on Saturday.
Erik Gudbranson (D) Prob Thurs Undisclosed - 08 / 04 / 22 12-12 11-10-3 + - Gudbranson has missed the previous three contests due to an unknown issue, but it is projected that he will suit up for Thursday's game against the Golden Knights.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Kyle Okposo (RW) Out Fri Ankle - 25 / 04 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Okposo sat out the previous game with a left ankle injury, and he will not suit up for Friday's tilt with the Blackhawks.
Vinnie Hinostroza (LW) Prob Thurs Personal - 25 / 04 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Hinostroza is tending to a personal matter, but it is anticipated that he will take part in Thursday's matchup versus the Bruins.
Craig Anderson (G) Ques Fri Undisclosed - 23 / 04 / 22 2-1 2-1 + - Anderson has sat out the last two games with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will be available for Friday's contest against the Blackhawks.
Cody Eakin (C) Out indefinitely Illness - 16 / 04 / 22 3-3 5-1 + - Eakin is out of the lineup with an illness, and it is unknown how long he will be debilitated.
Cody Eakin (C) Ques Thurs Undisclosed - 14 / 04 / 22 4-3 5-1-1 + - Eakin has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury, and it is up in the air if he will partake in Thursday's tilt versus the Blues.
Mattias Samuelsson (D) Ques Sat Lower Body - 14 / 04 / 22 4-3 5-1-1 + - Samuelsson sat out the last contest with a lower-body injury, and it remains to be seen if he will face the Flyers on Saturday.
Mattias Samuelsson (D) Prob Fri Undisclosed - 30 / 03 / 22 9-6 9-4-2 + - Samuelsson sat out the last game with an undisclosed issue, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Predators on Friday.
Colin Miller (D) Ques Sun Conditioning - 27 / 03 / 22 11-6 11-4-2 + - Miller has cleared the COVID-19 protocol, and it remains to be seen if he will take on the Panthers on Sunday.
John Hayden (LW) Out indefinitely Illness - 20 / 03 / 22 14-6 12-6-2 + - Hayden is going through the COVID-19 protocol, and he will miss an extended period.
Casey Fitzgerald (D) Ques Sun Upper Body - 10 / 03 / 22 16-8 14-7-3 + - Fitzgerald has been activated from the injured reserve list after recovering from an upper-body issue, and it is unclear if he will return to the ice against the Rangers on Sunday.