Flames 7, Sabres 4: Calgary Finds Its Finish
Some nights feel like rollercoasters before the puck even drops, and this 7–4 Flames win over the Sabres had that vibe right from the first shift. Calgary jumped out early, played with the lead most of the way, and still somehow found themselves trading punches in a game that couldn’t quite make up its mind. But when the dust settled, the Flames had seven on the board, Nazem Kadri had a three-point night, and the Saddledome crowd walked out buzzing. For a team trying to keep its homestand perfect, this was exactly the kind of messy win you’ll take and move on.
If you like defensive hockey, this game wasn’t pretty. There were bounces, broken sticks, strange goals, and long stretches where nobody could find a rhythm. But every time Buffalo clawed within one, the Flames answered almost instantly. That’s the part that sticks with you. Jonathan Huberdeau redirected one. Yegor Sharangovich got the opener off his arm. Rasmus Andersson scored with a broken stick. And when the game tightened up late, Mikael Backlund and Sharangovich slammed the door with a pair of empty-netters. It was chaotic. But, for the Flames, it was controlled chaos, the kind they haven’t always handled well.
Key Point One: Flames’ Nazem Kadri Drives the Night
This was Nazem Kadri at his best — competitive, creative, and steadying the game when it tilted sideways. His goal and two assists weren’t just production; they were timely answers. Every time Buffalo made it uncomfortable, Kadri helped swing it back Calgary’s way. You could see how much he embraced the moment.
Key Point Two: Yegor Sharangovich Finds Big Spots
Two goals and an assist will get anyone noticed, but it was when Yegor Sharangovich scored that mattered most. His opener settled the Flames early, and his late empty-netter finally put the Sabres away. He’s been on a run lately, and this was another night where he looked like a driver, not a passenger.
Key Point Three: Flames Make Defensive Wobbles, Find Offensive Answers
The Flames didn’t love giving up four, and Dustin Wolf had to battle through traffic all night. But the response goals — Huberdeau, Kadri, Yan Kuznetsov — showed the Flames’ ability to reset quickly. That’s a trait winning teams rely on.
Final Thoughts from the Flames Perspective
Calgary won this game because they refused to sag after mistakes. Seven goals, strong special teams, and a willingness to push back when momentum slipped. It’s not the tidy, defensive style Ryan Huska prefers, but it’s still two points and a continuation of a strong homestand.
If they can tighten the details while keeping this confidence, the Flames might just be heating up at the right time.