Johnson ready for old team as Flames host Sabres
CALGARY, Alberta -- All signs point to goalie Chad Johnson getting the start for the Calgary Flames against his old team on Tuesday.
Johnson, who made 22 saves to help the Flames (0-2-1) earn their first point of the season on Saturday in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Canucks in Voncouver, told reporters on Monday that he would be in net against the Buffalo Sabres (1-1-0) at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
"I'll say I'm playing," said Johnson, who signed a one-year, $1.7 million contract with the Flames as a free agent on July 1.
Fellow netminder Brian Elliott, who the Flames acquired from the St. Louis Blues on July 24, missed Monday's practice in Calgary.
"He had a good maintenance day today and then we'll make that decision tomorrow," Calgary coach Glen Gulutzan said, while noting that it's looking like Johnson will start against Buffalo.
Having played for Buffalo last year, Johnson knows the Sabres well.
"From top to bottom they're good," said Johnson, who compiled a 22-16-1 record last year with the Sabres to go with a 2.36 goals against average and a .920 save percentage. "They're going to be coming in here I'm sure trying to get two points and we're going to come back right at 'em, so it's going to be a good game."
Gulutzan liked what he saw from Johnson in his debut for the Flames against the Canucks.
"I thought he was tremendous in Vancouver," said Gulutzan, while adding that Johnson kept calm under pressure. "That's when you know a goalie's in his element when he looks very calm and the saves look easy and that's what he did."
Although center Jack Eichel (high ankle sprain) and left winger Evander Kane (cracked ribs) are out of Buffalo's lineup for the foreseeable future, the Sabres still skated to a 5-2 road win on Sunday over the Edmonton Oilers, who handed the Flames two losses to start the season.
"Two games into the year, let's not go crazy, but I think we have a really good group and we have some good pieces," said Sabres right winger Kyle Okposo, who had a goal and an assist against the Oilers in his season debut after missing Buffalo's first game with a knee injury. "I think our depth is undervalued, and we have a lot of guys who can play the game, and play it smartly.
"Obviously, Jack being out puts us at a loss because he's such a game breaker. But other guys are going to have to step up and play well, and we have to play better as a team."
After facing the Flames on Tuesday, the Sabres will continue their road swing through western Canada with a game in Vancouver against the Canucks on Thursday.
"It is a tough one," said Sabres center Ryan O'Reilly, who had two goals and two assists against the Oilers. "Last year, when we did this exact same trip, I don't think we got a point out of it. Having it early, getting a win now, we can do some work. It's a good little team kickoff, too. We're with each other every day, eat together all the time. It's a nice way for us to get a little closer as well."
