Markstrom gets fifth shutout, Flames defeat Sabres

BUFFALO -- Jacob Markstrom got his NHL-high fifth shutout of the season, and Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk each scored three points to help the Calgary Flames defeat the Buffalo Sabres 5-0 at KeyBank Center on Thursday.

"He's one of our leaders, he's one of our core guys," Flames coach Darryl Sutter said of Markstrom. "It's not always easy to do from that position because guys are sort of on their island a little bit, but he brings a lot to the locker room."
Gaudreau had two goals and an assist, Tkachuk had a goal and two assists, and Andrew Mangiapane scored twice for the Flames (9-3-5), who had lost four of five. Chris Tanev had two assists, and Markstrom made 27 saves in his 13th start.
"We got off to an early lead, and didn't really look back," Tkachuk said. "In the third, we were kind of just playing for 'Marky' there. He also did a great job but was tested more than we'd like. … But all in all, just a solid game. And anytime you are up 5-0 after two, you are in a good spot for the third."

Dustin Tokarski allowed five goals on 23 shots for the Sabres (7-7-2) before being replaced by Aaron Dell to start the third period. Dell made 10 saves.
Tokarski was coming off an NHL career-high 45 saves in a 2-1 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday.
"This is one night we really didn't support him," Buffalo coach Don Granato said. "The other night, aside from breakaways we limited second chances and pushed shots pretty well. ... So yeah, that was a tough night. Dustin was not the issue. In front of him was the issue."
Gaudreau scored on a breakaway off a stretch pass from Tkachuk to give Calgary a 1-0 lead at 10:30 of the first period.
"I think we were playing a good, solid game," Mangiapane said. "I think we wanted to come out strong, fast, and set the tempo. Score the first goal and go on from there. … And that's what we did tonight."

Mangiapane made it 2-0 at 1:42 of the second period when he took a pass from Tanev in the slot and scored on a backhand that went off Tokarski's glove.
Gaudreau sent a cross-ice pass to Tkachuk, who scored on the rush from the right face-off circle to make it 3-0 at 13:58, four seconds after a Flames power play expired.
"I think clearly we lacked intensity after that and I think it was hesitation was probably a better way to describe it," Granato said. "It was not a good goal at the end of a penalty kill. It was a simple play … just uncharacteristic of us to not be aware of that lateral play coming across.
"… So we didn't react competitively from that point, and that tells me it was the whole mood of the night. The guys just didn't feel themselves. Those moments deflate you when you don't feel you have your energy or you don't feel your game."

Mangiapane extended the lead to 4-0 at 14:59, scoring on a give-and-go with Mikael Backlund on a 2-on-1. Gaudreau, uncovered at the left side of the net, pushed the lead to 5-0 36 seconds later with a power-play goal at 15:35.
"Obviously, that's not what we want to do and how we want to play," Sabres forward Vinnie Hinostroza said. "Kind of an embarrassing effort at home and it's not up to our standard, so obviously we're all going to be upset about it. … We're definitely not hitting the panic button."
NOTES: The Flames became the first team in modern NHL history (since 1943-44) to have six shutouts through 17 games. The other team to do it was the 1938-39 Boston Bruins. Dan Vladar has the other shutout for Calgary this season. … Markstrom is the 10th goalie in NHL history with five shutouts in a season through 13 games or fewer and the fourth in the modern era, joining Pascal Leclaire of the Columbus Blue Jackets (nine games in 2007-08), Bernie Parent of the Philadelphia Flyers (12 games in 1973-74) and Brian Boucher of the Phoenix Coyotes (13 games in 2003-04). … Gaudreau's assist moved him into sole possession of sixth place in Flames history with 337, passing Guy Chouinard and Paul Reinhart. … Calgary forward Tyler Pitlick had one shot and one hit playing 12:59 in his 300th NHL game. … Sabres defenseman Colin Miller left the game at 9:00 of the third period after taking a hit from Flames forward Milan Lucic. There was no update. … Buffalo was shut out for the first time this season in its 16th game.