Smith helps end Flames’ drought in Anaheim Smith stops 43 for 2-0 win

The last 29 games at the Honda Center in Anaheim had been a nightmare for the Calgary Flames.

On Monday night, the Flames’ Mike Smith stopped 43 shots to help Calgary to a 2-0 win over the Ducks and end the drought.

“I wanted to help this team get over that hump,” Smith said.

The Flames’ offense came from Sean Monahan and Mikael Backlund .

“We probably could have done this in the spring in Game 2 (of the First Round, a 3-2 loss),” Backlund said. “I thought we were the way better team then, but they got the lucky bounce. We were like ‘Oh, it’s the curse,’ but now it’s nice to finally break it.”

The Flames kept the Ducks off balance most of the night and Anaheim looked sloppy in the game.

“I thought it was a great hockey game,” Calgary coach Glen Gulutzan said. “The specialty teams obviously got us, and you can’t win without specialty teams in this league.”

[WATCH: All Flames vs. Ducks highlights]

John Gibson made 27 saves in taking the loss.

“We weren’t crisp. Our game is moving the puck, skating, getting in on the forecheck and banging bodies. We haven’t really consistently done that yet. It’s a work in progress,” Anaheim’s Corey Perry said after the loss.

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