Flames’ rookie goalie impresses

BUFFALO, N.Y. Flames rookie goalie David Rittich cared little about missing out on his first career shutout bid with 18 seconds left.

The first 25 shots he stopped mattered more — and Calgary snapping a four-game skid to gain ground in a tightly contested Western Conference playoff race with a 5-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night.

“How we get the two points, that’s more important right now,” said Rittich, who bounced back after a six-game stretch during which he went 1-4-1 and allowed 24 goals.

“Yeah, it’s big for me right now,” he added. “I had a couple, I’m not sure if it was bad, but the scores were terrible. Yeah, it’s a nice comeback.”

Rittich’s only blemish was allowing Casey Nelson’s goal in the closing moments.

Otherwise, Sam Bennett, Mark Jankowski and Mark Giordano each had a goal and an assist, while Sean Monahan and Dougie Hamilton also scored for Calgary.

Coming off a 4-3 overtime loss at Pittsburgh on Monday, the Flames improved to 1-3-1 in their past five. With 76 points, Calgary jumped into 10th place, a point ahead of idle St. Louis, and within one of Los Angeles and Colorado.

PENGUINS 5, FLYERS 2

PHILADELPHIA — Conor Sheary scored two goals, Sidney Crosby had three assists and the Pittsburgh Penguins moved into first place in the Metropolitan Division with a victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.

Phil Kessel, Jamie Oleksiak and Evgeni Malkin also scored for the twotime defending Stanley Cup champions, who have won three straight.