Flames 4, Canucks 1
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Center Sean Monahan scored the deciding goal in the third period as the Calgary Flames defeated the Vancouver Canucks 4-1 on Saturday night.
Right winger Michael Frolik also scored for Calgary (23-25-3). Centers Mikael Backlund and Sam Bennett both scored into an empty net and each added an assist.
Right winger Emerson Etem scored late in the third period for the Canucks (20-20-12).
Monahan put Calgary ahead 2-0 at 15:07 of the third period. Center Jiri Hudler out-fought Vancouver defenseman Chris Tanev for the puck behind the Canucks' net and passed it to Monahan. He beat Vancouver goaltender Ryan Miller with a shot to the stick side for his 16th goal of the season.
Frolik's goal came on a pretty three-way passing play at 6:25 of the second period.
The Flames took advantage when Vancouver defenseman Alex Edler got caught up ice. Backlund carried the puck up the ice, then passed to streaking defenseman T.J. Brodie. He waited for Miller to commit himself, then passed to Frolik, who tucked the puck into the open corner.
It was Frolik's ninth goal of the season and first point in six games.
Calgary goaltender Jonas Hiller made 34 saves. Miller stopped 26 shots.
It was Vancouver's fourth consecutive loss. It also was the Canucks' third straight home loss where they scored just one goal.
The Flames improved to 2-4-0 in their last six games. The win also snapped a three-game streak where Calgary lost when playing in the second night of back-to-back games.
Vancouver outshot Calgary 18-9 during the period, forcing Hiller to make several big saves. Two of his best came when he blocked a redirected shot from defenseman Dan Hamhuis and then got a right pad on the rebound from left winger Sven Baertschi.
Calgary center Matt Stajan had the best scoring chance in the scoreless first period. Stajan managed to get free on a breakaway. He had a little trouble handling the puck but still got away a backhand that Miller stopped with a pad.
NOTES: The return of D Dan Hamhuis, who wore a modified helmet for extra protection after missing 21 games with facial fractures, means the Canucks are healthy for the first time since the season opened. ... D Yannick Weber, who had been a healthy scratch the last seven games, cleared waivers and was assigned to the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League. ... C Jared McCann, RW Adam Cracknell and D Alex Biega were scratches. ... It was the first Pacific Division team Vancouver had played since losing 3-2 to Arizona on Jan. 4. ... The Canucks play again Tuesday in Colorado. ... G Karri Ramo, who played in Calgary's 2-1 loss to Columbus on Friday, started 18 of the last 21 games. ... Scratches were C Joe Colborne, D Jakub Nakladal, and C Markus Grandlund. ... LW Brandon Bollig returned the lineup after being scratched the last two games. ... The Flames play Toronto at home on Tuesday.