The Buffalo Sabres were back at home Thursday night in a game that saw them fall to the Calgary Flames by a final score of 4-3.

The Sabres offense had arguably their best game of the season as the team scored three goals for the second time this season.
However, the defense had a bad night, allowing four goals and 36 shots in the contest.

Goaltender Devon Levi was able to keep it close, making a lot of very nice saves. However, despite his best efforts, the team fell in a close contest 4-3.

1st period

The Flames started the game off quickly with a Jonathan Huberdeau goal to give them the lead just 49 seconds into the game.

However, the Flames weren’t done, continuing to apply pressure on the Sabres. Despite the persistence from Calgary, the Sabres were able to generate some offense of their own.

After a few minutes of back-and-forth chances, Buffalo Sabres defensemen Erik Johnson would score to tie the game up at one with his first goal as a Buffalo Sabre.

Although the Sabres tied it, neither side was ready to slow down, as both teams continued to get quality chances that would eventually lead to a Walker Duehr goal to put Calgary back on top 2-1.

Again the Sabres offense would respond applying pressure and would be given a powerplay after Calgary defensemen MacKenzie Weegar was called for tripping. This would lead to a goal from superstar forward Tage Thompson, for his first goal of the year, to tie the game back up at two.

With little time left in the period, each team still kept up the high intensity play before the period would finally end after a combined four goals and 19 shots were recorded.

2nd period

The second period offered many high hopes of the offensive showdown continuing, but would end up becoming the exact opposite of the first period.

The second period offered little chances for either side until the final two minutes, when Sabres forward J.J Peterka was given a chance out front of the Calgary net.
However, Flames goaltender Dan Vladar was able to make the stop, and the Flames took the puck back the opposite way.

The Flames were then given a great scoring opportunity as forward Elias Lindholm had a breakaway against Sabres Devon Levi, but was also stopped as the two teams remained tied through two periods.
3rd period

After a lackluster second period from both sides, the two teams regained their offensive prowess from the first period as they started off quickly.

Just before the two-minute mark, the Flames Blake Coleman scored to give Calgary its third lead of the night, this time 3-2.
However, the Sabres would yet again respond just over a minute later with a J.J Peterka goal to even the game at three.

Still, Calgary wasn’t done as Adam Ruzicka would score the Flames fourth goal and lead of the night, making the score 4-3.
After the fireworks from the first five minutes, both teams’ offenses seemed to fizzle out as the chances became few and far between.

Despite this, each team was given a power play opportunity that would make the game interesting, but neither side would end up capitalizing.

Trailing 4-3 late, the Sabres were able to create a few chances in a last-ditch effort to force overtime, but the team couldn’t capitalize on these chances and were down to their last gasp.

With 7.2 seconds remaining and the net empty, the Sabres found themselves in the offensive zone. After a faceoff win by Dylan Cozens, defensemen Rasmus Dahlin couldn’t generate a last second shot, and the Sabres would fall 4-3.
Takeaways

Despite the loss, the Sabres offense played very well. The team generated 27 shots and three goals and looked great. However, the Sabres defense yet again left many disappointed giving up 36 shots and four goals.

Goaltender Devon Levi played well. Even though he gave up four goals, he made countless saves to keep the game close, and give the Sabres a chance at the end.

As for the special teams, they played very well. The Sabres powerplay recorded their first goal of the season from Tage Thompson, and the penalty kill unit killed all five penalties in the game.

The penalty kill unit has now recorded 15 straight successful kills, after allowing a goal on the first penalty kill of the year against the New York Rangers.

As for the finish, down 4-3 late, the Sabres couldn’t generate enough offense, and found themselves on the losing end of this one.
The Sabres are now 1-3 and are 1-2 at home on the young season.

The Sabres now look ahead to their Saturday afternoon game against the New York Islanders. The two teams met last Saturday as well in a game that saw the Islanders emerge victorious 3-2.

This time, the two teams will meet in Buffalo. The Sabres will be wearing their goat head jerseys for the first time this season, as they look to get a much-needed victory at home.