The Buffalo Sabres suffered a disheartening 6-2 loss to the Calgary Flames at KeyBank Center on Wednesday night, a game that exposed several areas of concern for the team. After entering the game on a two-game winning streak, the Sabres couldn't maintain their momentum, ultimately falling to a Flames team that, until Wednesday, was struggling to find consistency. Here are three takeaways from the game:

1. Defensive Lapses and Goaltending Concerns

The Sabres' defensive structure faltered significantly, particularly in the third period when they allowed four unanswered goals. While goalie Colten Ellis made 29 saves, five goals were scored around him, indicating potential vulnerabilities in the defensive coverage. Mattias Samuelsson, who scored the Sabres' first goal, pointed out that the Flames' goals were "gritty ones around the net," suggesting the Sabres' defense struggled to clear the puck and contain Calgary's offensive pressure in key areas.

Ellis, who had won his first three NHL decisions, experienced his first career loss. While he has been relatively effective this season, questions linger about the team's overall goaltending stability. With Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen's inconsistent play since returning from injury and Alex Lyon's performance potentially unsustainable, the Sabres need more stability in net.

2. Inability to Capitalize on Momentum

The Sabres demonstrated resilience by erasing a 2-0 deficit in the second period with goals from Mattias Samuelsson and Tage Thompson. However, they failed to build on this momentum. According to Thompson, the team played "way too casual" in the opening period, losing puck battles and struggling with puck management in the neutral zone. This lack of urgency and inability to sustain pressure allowed the Flames to regain control of the game in the third period.

The Sabres' inability to maintain momentum also reflects a recurring issue: the team often struggles to synchronize strong offensive play with solid defense and reliable goaltending. This inconsistency prevents them from stringing together wins and establishing themselves as a consistent threat in the Eastern Conference.

3. Special Teams Disparity

Although the Sabres boast a strong penalty kill, ranked first in the NHL, their power play continues to be a concern, sitting at 23rd. In contrast, the Flames were perfect on the penalty kill, going 3-for-3. This disparity highlights the Sabres' inability to capitalize on power-play opportunities, which can be crucial in close games. The failure to convert with the man advantage, combined with defensive breakdowns, ultimately contributed to their downfall against the Flames.

Overall, the Sabres' loss to the Flames exposed vulnerabilities in their defense, highlighted their inability to maintain momentum, and underscored the need for improvement on the power play. To be a real contender, the Sabres need to address these issues and find a way to bring consistency to their overall game.