The Morning After Montreal: One More to Go

The Morning After

Calgary Flames 5 - Montreal Canadiens 2

Eleven days ago, the message was pretty simply. If the Calgary Flames were to have any chance of making the playoffs, they would have to win at least four of their five upcoming games against the Montreal Canadiens. So far, they’ve pulled out three of four, with the fifth game coming on Monday at 4:30. Montreal opened the scoring in this one with Nick Suzuki scoring on the third rebound attempt as the Flames weren’t able to clear them.

Late in the first, Matthew Tkachuk partially sprung Johnny Gaudreau who was able to put a wicked wrist shot right in the top corner from the faceoff circle to tie the game. Calgary was pretty fortunate to head to the intermission tied as Montreal carried the play in the first. Early in the 2nd the Flames pulled ahead, first with Milan Lucic throwing a shot on net off a faceoff play which beat Cayden Primeau. Minutes later a great forecheck from Andrew Mangiapane left him with the puck and he hit Gaudreau flying off the bench at the back door for a tap in. Tyler Toffoli got one back late in the 2nd, but Calgary extended their lead back in the third with Derek Ryan getting away from the Habs defence and sliding the puck to Brett Ritchie who scored his third of the year. Rasmus Andersson hit the empty net late as the Flames did a good job cementing their win.

Tidbits

• Last night was only Gaudreau’s second multi goal game of the season and just his 2nd game with two even strength goals in the last two seasons
• Elias Lindholm had his seven game point streak snapped in the win
• Noah Hanifin left the game in the first and did not return, nothing officially has been said by the team but it didn’t look good
• Rasmus Andersson scored his first point in 16 games and first goal in 30 games with the empty netter
• Chris Tanev logged 28:01 of ice time last night as the team tried to make up for the loss of Hanifin

Highlights

Post Game Reaction

The Flames next play tomorrow in an odd early game on Monday. 4:30 puck drop versus Montreal.