The Calgary Flames used four second period goals to stun the Buffalo Sabres and shut them out 5-0 on Thursday night at KeyBank Center.
Johnny Gaudreau broke the stalemate midway through the opening period with his fifth goal of the season. The forward was able to get behind the Sabres defense and receive a pass from Matthew Tkachuk before scoring. Tkachuk and Christopher Tanev assisted on the goal that made it 1-0 Flames.
Buffalo recorded eight shots on goal in the opening period, but were not able to beat Jacob Markstrom. Dustin Tokarski made 13 saves on 14 Flames' shots on goal in the first as well. Neither team was called for a minor penalty in the opening stanza.
It did not take Calgary long in the second period to extend their lead to 2-0 over the Sabres. Andrew Mangiapane scored his 11th goal of the season, despite Tokarski tipping the puck with his glove. Mangiapane was able to use pass from Tanev in the offensive zone to create the chance. Oliver Kylington and Tanev were credited with the assists.
The lead was extended to 3-0 on Tkachuk's eighth goal of the season, after being set up Gaudreau on a cross-ice pass. Both players recorded their second points of the night with a goal and assist. Elias Lindholm recorded his first point of the night on the goal.
A pair of quick goals late in the middle stanza helped Calgary balloon their lead to 5-0 over Buffalo. Mangiapane and Gaudreau each scored their second goals of the game, coming just over 30 seconds apart. Gaudreau's second goal of the came while Anders Bjork was in the penalty box for high sticking.
Neither team was able to score in the third period. Aaron Dell came in relief for the Sabres in goal and made 10 saves after Tokarski played the first two periods.
Game Summary
Scoring Summary
First Period
BUF: none
CGY: 10:30 - Johnny Gaudreau (5) (Matthew Tkachuk, Christopher Tanev)
Second Period
BUF:
CGY: 1:42 - Andrew Mangiapane (11) (Christopher Tanev, Oliver Kylington) 13:58 - Matthew Tkachuk (8) (Johnny Gaudreau, Elias Lindholm)
14:59 - Andrew Mangiapane (12) (Mikael Backlund, Nikita Zadorov)
15:35 - Johnny Gaudreay (6) PPG (Sean Monahan, Matthew Tkachuk)
Third Period
BUF: none
CGY: none
Penalty Summary
First Period
BUF: none
CGY: none
Second Period
BUF: 11:54 - Drake Caggiula (2 min., boarding)
15:01 - Anders Bjork (2 min., high sticking)
CGY: 9:37 - Brad Richardson (2 min., tripping)
17:24 - Blake Coleman (2 min., tripping)
Third Period
BUF: none
CGY: none
Losi and Gangi Three Stars
1. Andrew Mangiapane
2. Johnny Gaudreau
3. Jacob Markstrom
What's Next
The blue and gold will be in New York to face the Rangers on Sunday evening. Buffalo and New York will drop the puck at six o'clock at Madison Square Garden on The Bet 1520 AM. Pregame coverage with Brian Koziol will begin at five p.m. as well.