Even though his team surrendered only two goals in their last outing, Calgary Flames coach Darryl Sutter did not agree with recent assessments’ lauding of his team’s defensive success.
So, when the Flames face the Buffalo Sabres for Thursday’s road clash, bank on a better performance than they provided in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday. The Flames surrendered 43 shots against in that one, including 14 in the third period.
“You guys talked about goals against and defence. Certainly didn’t look like that tonight,” Sutter said in the aftermath of the loss.
Sutter’s disappointment could stem from the fact his team is 1-5 in extra-time games this season and appears to have crashed to earth after a 10-game stretch without losing in regulation by netting just one victory in their past five outings (1-2-2).
The Flames are still the NHL’s second-best squad in goals-against at 34, entering play Wednesday, trailing just the Carolina Hurricanes (27). And some better offensive production would have been the difference in Philadelphia.
Forward Johnny Gaudreau pointed the finger at himself against the Flyers for having been blanked despite a career-high 10-high shots in a strong effort as the New Jersey native played before a load of friends and family.
“It’s more frustrating we lost,” Gaudreau said. “When you have that many good looks, you’ve got to find the net. ... Our line was pretty productive in the offensive zone – we did a good job – but we’ve got to find a way to put the puck in the net.”
The Sabres have won two of three games, the latest a 2-1 road victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday.
Buffalo overcame its defensive struggles in Pittsburgh owing to a career-best 45 saves by goaltender Dustin Tokarski, with 19 of those stops in the third period while his team was clinging to the lead.
The Sabres, who have missed the playoffs the past 10 seasons, are trying to stay in the thick of the race, and Tokarski’s play of late has been a revelation.
With veteran goaltender Craig Anderson out because of an upper-body injury, Tokarski has delivered a solid start to the season with a 3-3-2 record, a 2.71 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage.