Calgary is 7-0-1 after going 2-4-2 in its previous eight games. The Flames have held opponents to two or fewer goals in six straight games, and haven't allowed more than three goals against since a 5-2 loss against the Philadelphia Flyers on Dec. 4. Chad Johnson will start in goal for the Sabres, who have lost their past two games (0-2-0) and are 1-6-1 in the past eight games. Johnson played 36 games for the Flames last season.
Players to watch
Sabres forward Jack Eichel has nine points (three goals, six assists) in a five-game point streak, and 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) in his past 14 games. Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau has 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in his past eight games.
They said it
"For us it's just competing for 60 minutes and bringing that strong competitiveness through the whole game. That's going to be key for us and what we've tried to find the whole year." -- Sabres goaltender Chad Johnson "It's an up-and-down League. Anyone can win any game. We're a confident group and we have that mindset that if we stick with it, good things are going to happen." -- Flames forward Sean Monahan
Beaulieu is expected to return after missing two games because of an illness. … The Flames held an optional skate Monday. Hrivik will play in place of Mangiapane on the fourth line.
Stat pack
Okposo has seven points (two goals, five assists) in the past four games. Ristolainen has nine points (three goals, six assists) in the past nine games. … Smith is 6-0-1 with a 1.82 goals-against average and .946 save percentage in his past seven games. Monahan has 10 points (four goals, six assists) in his past seven games.
