Flames thrash Blackhawks, 5-1

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In Chicago, the Calgary Flames scored once off the power play and once off the penalty kill in a 5-1 win over the Blackhawks on Sunday.“I don’t think we had a great start tonight,” Calgary’s Trevor Lewis said. “They got a few more chances than we would like. It’s just building our game back up again, being that good checking team, and good on the forecheck and getting pucks to the net, stuff like that. We’ve just got to keep building.”

Jacob Markstrom made 30 saves in the Flames win.

Chicago took a 1-0 lead in the first period off a strike from Alex DeBrincat.

“I think obviously yesterday was not a good game. Today I thought we played a little bit better, but still too many mistakes, leaving our goalie out to dry,” DeBrincat said. “That’s what’s going to happen when you play against a good team and give them chances like that.”

The Blackhawks dropped to 11-17-4.

“Even though we had two weeks off (prior to game against the Predators on Saturday), I don’t think it’s an excuse for our play,” Chicago’s Henrik Borgstrom said. “We need to be better. Guys were feeling pretty good in practice and couple of guys coming back from different injuries. But yeah, we need to be better than this.”

Johnny Gaudreau hit for a goal and three points in the Calgary win;Matthew Tkachuk added a goal and two points.

“It was a good play by [Blake Coleman],” Lewis said. “He won the battle and got me the puck and I put it home. It was a big goal for sure. Obviously, special teams was huge for us tonight with the power play getting in there, too.”

After Tkachuk tied the game, 1-1, in the first, Elias Lindholm (power play) and Trevor Lewis (shorthanded) gave the Flames a 3-1 lead in the second period.

“We talked about it in-between periods that we need to come out better and get our game in order and play the way we’re used to,” Lindholm said. “I think the second period showed how we can play when we play good hockey, and have a lot of shots and create a lot of chances. It was a fun period to be a part of. Want to see more of that.”

Arvid Soderblom made 37 saves in the Hawks loss, it was his first career NHL start.