Johnny Gaudreau tied his career-high with four points in a single period, helping the Calgary Flames race to a commanding 7-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday night. Gaudreau’s goal and three assists, along with two goals and two assists from Matthew Tkachuk, lifted the Flames to the top of the Pacific Division.
Calgary is now tied in points with the San Jose Sharks but holds the division lead with one more regulation or overtime win.
“He’s a dynamic player with incredible vision,” Flames coach Bill Peters said of Gaudreau. “Not many players can slow the game down and create time and space like he does.”
The Flames blew the game open quickly, scoring five goals in the first period. Gaudreau became the first Calgary player since 2011 to record four points in a single period, joining an elite group in franchise history.
Gaudreau set up the scoring just 2:36 into the game with a power-play assist to Tkachuk, who fired a wrist shot past Vegas goalie Malcolm Subban. Gaudreau added a goal of his own at 6:49, finishing off a beautiful passing sequence with Elias Lindholm and Sean Monahan to make it 2-0.
“Smart play by Lindholm to start that,” Gaudreau said. “He turned a one-on-two into a great scoring chance by pulling up and finding Monahan, and I was able to join the play.”
Gaudreau continued his strong play by assisting Monahan’s first of two goals in the period, capitalizing on a turnover to set up a one-timer for a 3-0 lead. His fourth point came when he assisted on Monahan’s second goal, the team’s 12th of the season, to round out the Flames’ dominant first period.
“Johnny’s a constant threat,” Peters added. “When he delays, it creates opportunities for the trailing players, and that’s when you see those cross-ice passes that are tough for goalies to handle.”
TJ Brodie and Sam Bennett added goals for Calgary, bringing the Flames’ record to 12-8-1. Calgary will face Vegas again on Friday.
Nick Holden and Max Pacioretty scored late goals for the Golden Knights, who were coming off a 6-3 win in Edmonton the night before.
“It’s hard to believe we played so well last night and then came out like this,” Vegas coach Gerard Gallant said. “It’s disappointing, and I hope the players feel the same because they didn’t show up tonight.”
For Calgary, known for third-period comebacks, Monahan enjoyed being on the other side of a blowout. “It’s fun when everything is clicking and you’re scoring like that,” he said. “We needed a game like this.”
Calgary goalie David Rittich made 20 saves, improving to 7-1-0. Rittich has been starting more games recently as veteran Mike Smith has struggled.
Subban, who finished with 25 saves, has yet to win a game this season after going 13-4-2 as a rookie last year.
“I don’t have any answers,” said Vegas winger Reilly Smith. “We’re supposed to be a fast team, but this was probably the slowest we’ve played all year.”
Game Notes:
- Flames winger James Neal remains stuck at 499 career points and has gone seven games without a point. Neal signed a five-year, $28.75 million contract in the offseason and has just four points (one goal, three assists) in 21 games this season.
Up Next:
- Golden Knights: Visit Arizona on Wednesday night.
- Flames: Host Winnipeg on Wednesday night.
