BUFFALO, N.Y. — In an exciting matchup, JJ Peterka netted the decisive goal during the shootout as the Buffalo Sabres secured a 3-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Saturday. This marks the Sabres’ third consecutive win, showcasing their recent surge in performance.

Buffalo took an early lead in the game, with Tage Thompson and Zach Benson each scoring in the first period. Thompson, leading the team, added to his tally with a power-play goal at 13:37, marking his 10th goal of the season.

The Flames managed to respond with goals from Mikael Backlund and Matt Coronato. Notably, Calgary had dominated previous encounters at Buffalo, winning six straight games since their last loss here on November 21, 2016. However, Flames goalie Dan Vladar faced a tough night, making 17 saves and slipping to a record of 1-4-1 in his last six appearances.

Backlund brought the Flames level, scoring his third goal of the season with just 4:18 left in the third period. Despite this comeback, Calgary finished their three-game road trip with a record of 1-0-2, indicating a slight decline in momentum.

During the shootout, Peterka converted on Buffalo’s second attempt, skillfully maneuvering from the left circle before slipping the puck past Vladar’s legs. This decisive moment secured the Sabres’ victory.

**Key Takeaways**:
The Flames have struggled recently, now sitting at 2-5-2 after a promising start of 5-0-1. In contrast, the Sabres are looking to build on their momentum, having won three consecutive games—a feat they achieved only twice last season, further extending their NHL playoff drought to 13 years. A fourth straight victory would mark their first since the period of January 19-26, 2023.

**Key Moment**:
The Sabres faced a crucial test in the final 80 seconds of overtime as they navigated a penalty for having too many players on the ice, showcasing their resilience.

**Key Stat**:
Buffalo’s captain, Rasmus Dahlin, reached a milestone with 235 career assists, which places him third among defensemen in the franchise’s history, surpassing Alexei Zhitnik. He now trails only Mike Ramsey (256) and Phil Housley (380).

**Upcoming Games**:
Looking ahead, the Flames will return to action at home against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday, while the Sabres will host the Montreal Canadiens on the same day.