Elias Lindholm had two goals and an assist, and the Calgary Flames ended a five-game losing streak with a 5-2 win against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center in San Jose on Sunday.
Tyler Toffoli had a goal and an assist, and Milan Lucic scored his first goal of the season for the Flames (14-12-6), who were 0-2-3 during their skid and won on the road for the first time since Nov. 21. Jacob Markstrom made 24 saves.
“The main thing is getting a big win here to start off the (four-game) road trip,” Lucic said. “This is a huge time of year for us, a huge road trip for us before the Christmas break starts, and we wanted to make sure we brought one of our best road games here tonight.”
Video: CGY@SJS: Lindholm nets 10th, 11th goals of the season
Thomas Hertl had a goal and an assist, Erik Karlsson had two assists, and Kaapo Kahkonen made 20 saves for the Sharks (10-17-6), who had their four-game point streak end (2-0-2).
“We’ve got a lot of work to do, and we know that, but I think we’re trying,” Karlsson said. “We have good moments out there, and to become a good team in this league where everything is so tight and every team is fighting for their lives, it’s small margins. You have to find a way to be consistent on a nightly basis, and that’s what we’re striving for.”
Lindholm scored 16 seconds into the third period to put Calgary ahead 3-1, one-timed from a cross-ice pass. Jonathan Huberdeau in the right circle. He then scored 19 seconds later to extend it to 4-1, converting another one-timer, this time from a slap pass off the left circle. Rasmus Andersson.
“First one was just ‘Huby’ came out of the box and made a really nice pass to me. Just stayed out there,” Lindholm said. “Then the second one, ‘Ras’ made a nice play. Probably not going to happen again, scoring two goals that quickly, but I’ll take it.”
Dillon Dube made it 5-1 at 2:10 when he shot into an open net from a sharp angle after Kahkonen mishandled a dump-in by Nazem Kadri.
Video: CGY@SJS: Dube increases Flames’ lead in 3rd period
Hertl made it 5-2 at 7:56, tucking a rebound with his backhand past Markstrom’s outstretched left pad on a power play.
“It changed quickly,” Sharks coach David Quinn said. “We felt pretty good about the way the game was going. We felt the second period was a pretty even period. In a blink of an eye it’s 4-1. It’s a good hockey team. I know they’ve had their struggles from a record standpoint, but that’s a team that plays fast and hard, and they make you earn everything you have.”
Toffoli gave Calgary a 1-0 lead at 7:13 of the first period when he shot glove side from the high slot following a giveaway by Jacob Megna.
Timo Meier tied it 1-1 at 11:11 with a one-timer off a pass from Karlsson on a power play.
The assist was Karlsson’s 700th NHL point. He is the third Swedish-born defenseman to reach 700 points in NHL history, joining Nicklas Lidstrom (1,142) and Borje Salming (787).
“It is what it is,” Karlsson said. “I’m going to have plenty of time by the time I’m done with this game to reflect upon things like this. Right now, I’m just living in the moment. I’ve been very fortunate to be in the League a long time to get to where I’m at.”
Video: CGY@SJS: Karlsson feeds Meier to even game in 1st
Lucic put the Flames back in front 2-1 at 6:01 of the second period when his shot from above the circle deflected off Karlsson.
It was Lucic’s first goal since March 16, 2022 (51 games).
“You want to contribute,” Lucic said. “Even if your role changes, you still play the right way and play your role, but you still want to chip in when you can. Right now, it was a great play by [Lindholm] to find me there in the high slot. Just gained some confidence after that.”
NOTES: Lindholm’s two goals in 35 seconds were the fastest to open a period by one player in Flames history, and the eighth-fastest in NHL history. … Karlsson has nine points (one goal, eight assists) during a seven-game point streak. … Meier has 15 goals in the past 22 games after scoring once in his first 11 games this season. … Huberdeau had an assist in his 700th game. … Markstrom became the third Swedish goalie in NHL history to play in 400 games, joining Henrik Lundqvist (887) and Tommy Salo (526).
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