In Calgary Tuesday night, the Vancouver Canucks’ Jacob Markstrom made 29 saves to help the Canucks to a 5-3 win over the Flames.
Sam Gagner and Derek Dorsett, scored for the Canucks and Bo Horvat and Henrik Sedin scored 38 seconds apart in the third period to break the game open.
Thomas Vanekscored in his 900th NHL game.
“I didn’t even know about it before the game,” Vanek said. “It’s a good win. I think more than anything it’s great for (Markstrom). I think he’s been playing really well for us. Without him tonight it would be a different story.”
After a tough loss on home ice, the Canucks improved to 5-1-0 on the road.
“I don’t know what it is,” Sedin said. “I don’t think it matters if we play on the road or at home. I think our style of play, that’s the way you need to play in today’s NHL. We bought in and I think we follow the system and we defend from playing well offensively. That’s the only way I look at it.”
Dougie Hamilton, Johnny Gaudreau and Micheal Ferland had the Flames’ strikes in the game.
But Calgary was unable to hold the lead and the Canucks were never really put on their heels.
“That’s how you win games in this league. Holding the lead,” Gaudreau said. “Especially on that power play, we gave them an odd-man rush and they tied the game. It’s something we need to learn from.”
[WATCH: All Canucks vs. Flames highlights]
Mike Smith made 16 saves in taking the loss.
“It’s a learning experience,” Calgary’s TJ Brodie said. “To make the playoffs, we need to learn how to win these games, especially being tied going into the third.”
Learning experience for sure but the Flames need to be quicker learners in these early games and not give up so many points in the ladder.
The loss snapped a three-game win streak for Calgary.
“A couple mistakes that cost us the game. We’ve got to be better. We’ve got to learn from these mistakes. Good thing it’s only game 15, not game 75, or we’re fighting for a playoff spot,” Gaudreau said after the loss.
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