Mikael Backlund scored twice, and the Calgary Flames used balanced scoring to defeat the Vegas Golden Knights 6–3 on Saturday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Calgary also received goals from Joel Farabee, Ryan Lomberg, Adam Klapka, and Jonathan Huberdeau, continuing a strong run at home where the Flames have won seven of their last nine games. Connor Zary and MacKenzie Weegar each recorded three assists, while goaltender Devin Cooley turned aside 33 shots.
Vegas saw its first regulation loss of the month after opening it 5-0-2. Reilly Smith, Kaedan Korczak, and Mark Stone scored for the Golden Knights, and Akira Schmid finished with 20 saves.
Stone briefly pulled Vegas within two late in the third period, redirecting Noah Hanifin’s shot off the backboards and into the net on the power play with 3:57 remaining. Any comeback hopes were ended when Huberdeau sealed the outcome with an empty-net goal in the final minute.
Backlund opened the scoring less than four minutes in after forcing a turnover in Calgary’s end and finishing a rush alongside Blake Coleman and Zary. Calgary doubled its lead when a point shot deflected off Klapka in front, but Smith answered moments later with a breakaway goal for Vegas.
The Flames kept control with Lomberg scoring late in the first period, followed by Backlund’s second goal early in the second after he converted his own rebound. Farabee added a short-handed goal midway through the period, giving Calgary five goals — one shy of matching its NHL-leading total in that category.
Korczak scored late in the second to keep Vegas within reach, but the Golden Knights couldn’t close the gap.
Vegas played without Jack Eichel (illness) and Shea Theodore (upper-body injury), forcing lineup adjustments that included Ivan Barbashev moving to center.
Up Next
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Golden Knights: Host the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night.
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Flames: Visit the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night.
