5 THINGS - FLAMES @ SABRES

FLAMES (6-5-1: 13 pts.) @ SABRES (6-4-1: 13 pts.)

US

The Flames improved to 6-5-1 and have collected three points in their last two games after beating the Maple Leafs 3-1 in Toronto on Monday night. After controlling the play and outshooting the homeside nearly 2-to-1 for much of the contest, Sean Monahan finally got the Flames on the board 5:39 into the third period. Linemate Elias Lindholm's one-timer less than a minute later gave Calgary a two-goal cushion down the stretch. Nazem Kadri would get the Leafs back within one but Michael Frolik's empty-netter with six seconds left to play iced it … Mike Smith was solid in the win, turning aside 24 shots. Coach Bill Peterssaid Sunday before leaving for this quick two-game Eastern road swing that Smith would play against Toronto and David Rittich would man the pipes versus Buffalo.

THEM

The Sabres have won three of their last four games, with their most recent outing a 5-4 overtime loss to the Blue Jackets in Columbus. Artemi Panarin scored his second of the night just 31 seconds into extra time for the homeside to win it. Skinner and Kyle Okposo scored in the first period for Buffalo, which led 2-1 after 20 minutes. Columbus put up three in the middle frame to take the lead, with Jason Pominville and Casey Mittelstadt tallying in the third … Highly-touted youngster Mittelstadt, 19, on scoring his first goal of the season to force overtime:: "You think about it a little bit, but it wasn't bothering me much. I've been a goal-scorer my whole career. When they come they come. It's nice to get one and build off that."

US vs. THEM

Last season the teams split their home-and-home series, with the visitors winning each time: The Sabres skating to a 2-1 overtime win on Jan. 22 and the Flames picking up a 5-1 victory on March 7 … The Flames haven't won consecutive road games in Buffalo since Dec. 9 and Jan. 27 of 1991 ... The home team was won 18 of the last 22 outings between these two teams dating back to 1999-00.

THIS, THAT & THE OTHER

This: The Flames' three third-period goals Monday night gives them 19 goals on the season in the final frame. That stat is good for tops in the NHL, leading the Winnipeg Jets (18) by one. The Flames now have a +9 third-period goal differential this season … That:This is the Flames first back-to-back of the season. Calgary was solid last season in the second game of a back-to-backs, going 6-5-0-1 in those contests … The Other: Matthew Tkachukscored his first career NHL goal on Oct. 18, 2016 against the Sabres.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Flames: Mark Giordano
The captain led the Flames in scoring with three points against Buffalo last season.
Sabres: Jack Eichel
The Sabres emerging star - who was drafted second overall in 2015 behind Connor McDavid - is second in team scoring with three goals and 11 points. He picked up two assists against Columbus.