The Calgary Flames completed a perfect four-game homestand on Monday night, beating the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 at Scotiabank Saddledome behind two goals from Matvei Gridin.
Gridin opened the scoring at 10:05 of the first period and added a power-play goal 25 seconds into the second, according to NHL reports, as Calgary built a 3-0 lead. Toronto fought back to 3-2, but two empty-net goals sealed the win for the Flames.
Calgary improved to 5-6-0 with a fourth straight victory, while Toronto fell to 7-5-2 as their four-game winning streak came to an end. The Flames outshot Toronto 34-28 and scored once in five power-play chances.
Gridin leads Calgary charge
Gridin finished with two goals and an assist and was named the game’s first star, according to NHL recaps. Mikael Backlund added Calgary’s second goal, while Joel Farabee and Martin Pospisil scored the empty-net goals late in the third period.
Toronto’s goals came from Easton Cowan and William Nylander, who brought the Leafs within one at 6:06 of the third. But Toronto could not find an equaliser, and Calgary’s late goals ended the contest.
Flames finding form at home
Four straight home wins is a strong response after a slow start. Calgary’s structure, special teams and goaltending — Devin Cooley stopped 26 shots — all improved during the homestand.
Toronto, meanwhile, must regroup on the road. Their winning streak is over, but their record remains strong. For Calgary, the challenge now is to take this home form on the road and turn a homestand into a genuine run up the standings.
