Post-Game: Grand Theft Markstrom in Montreal

On Saturday night in Montreal’s Bell Centre, the Calgary Flames spotted themselves a 1-0 lead. Then, they hung on for dear life as goaltender Jacob Markstrom stood on his head to maintain that lead. The Flames were extremely fortunate to escape Quebec with two points after Markstrom made 37  saves in a 2-0 shutout victory.

For the first time in a few games, the Flames scored first! After Sam Bennett drew a penalty hustling from the puck, Johnny Gaudreau score a really pretty power play goal. He corralled a deflected pass, waited for Jake Allen to commit, then shelved a shot past the Habs netminder to give the Flames a 1-0 lead.

Shots were 16-12 Flames and scoring chances 15-10 Canadiens in the first period.

Nobody scored in second period, but the two teams combined for six power plays and just 7:09 of five-on-five time. The Habs were all over the Flames for long stretches, including looking very dangerous on special teams.

The Flames highlights were a pair of painful-looking shot blocks on Shea Weber blasts – Juuso Valimaki off his hand/wrist area and Joakim Nordstrom off his skate – and a high Dillon Dube hit that’ll get some attention from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety.

Shots were 15-5 Canadiens and scoring chances 8-0 Canadiens in the second period.

The Habs pressed in the third period, but the Flames hung in there. Mikael Backlund added an empty-netter late in the period to cement a 2-0 win.

Shots were 12-10 Flames and scoring chances 13-9 Canadiens in the third period.

They had a better start than they did on Thursday, and then their goaltending was great as they clung on for dear life. When they’re allowed to go places and do things again, every player in a red and white sweater owes Markstrom a meal.

They were more crisp and engaged than they were on Thursday, for sure, but this was a Goalie Win.

Markstrom. Replace him with any other goaltender and the scoreboard would’ve looked a lot different.

Take your pick from any number of calm Markstrom saves in a very one-sided second period.

Data via Natural Stat Trick. Percentage stats are 5v5.

Three Flames experienced big milestones:

The Flames (3-3-1) are off to Winnipeg! They play three games in four nights in the ‘Peg starting Monday evening.