Flames snap 7-game losing streak with win over Jets

Thrust together as linemates as a result of Jonathan Huberdeau's injury, the chemistry is starting to build between Elias Lindholm and young forward Adam Ruzicka.

Each had a goal and assist on Saturday as the Calgary Flames ended a seven-game winless skid with a 3-2 victory at home over the Winnipeg Jets.

"Tonight he played a real good game and hopefully he can build off that, too. That's the Adam we expect," said Lindholm. "He's got a lot of skill, big body, and used to put up a lot of points [in junior, the AHL] and obviously has a good chance now."

A healthy scratch through 10 of the first 11 games, Ruzicka — normally a centre — was playing his third consecutive game and doing so in place of Huberdeau (upper body) on the left side of the Flames' No. 1 line with Lindholm and Tyler Toffoli.

Tied 1-1, Calgary took its second lead of the first period at 17:22 when Lindholm spotted Ruzicka steaming toward the net on the far wing and set him up with a cross-ice pass that the Slovakian buried for his first of the season.

Ruzicka was also a central figure in Calgary's opening goal at 3:23, flinging a backhand toward the front of the net from the corner that went in off the stick of Lindholm.

"Obviously [Ruzicka] scored tonight, but I liked that Lindy likes who he's playing with," said Flames coach Darryl Sutter. "He was our best forward, Lindy, so maybe we shouldn't be experimenting with him."

The key sequence in the game happened late in the second period with the scored tied 2-2.

Ten seconds into a holding penalty to Flames defenceman Mackenzie Weegar, Mikael Backlund set up Trevor Lewis who went forehand to backhand as he cut across the top of the crease to put Calgary back into the lead.

WATCH | Lewis lifts Flames over Jets with short-handed goal:

Lewis' short handed goal lifts Flames over Jets

2 years ago

Duration 0:52

Trevor Lewis third period short handed goal gave Calgary a 3-2 win over Winnipeg Saturday night.

With the Jets still on the power play for another 1:50, a tripping penalty on netminder Jacob Markstrom led to a 79-second two-man advantage for the visitors.

But Calgary's maligned penalty kill came through to preserve the lead and ultimately the victory. After giving up power-play goals in seven straight games, the Flames have gone a perfect 8-for-8 in the last two games, including 3-for-3 against the Jets in which they didn't yield a shot.

"Sometimes a good kill won't give you much. You just have to take what they give you. Sometimes it's just up and over and a shot and a one-timer," said Dubois. "I thought tonight, maybe 5-on-5 too, we were trying to perfect play it too much."

Rasmus Andersson also had a hand in the offence for Calgary (6-6-2) with two assists.

Calgary native Josh Morrissey had two assists to continue his red-hot start. The Jets' leading scorer is already up to 13 helpers, which is halfway to his career high of 26 set in 2019-20.

"Not our worst game but we were facing a desperate club. We've got to match their intensity no matter what the situation is," said Pionk.

Markstrom stacks the pads

Getting the start for the Flames, Markstrom made 21 stops to improve to 5-3-2. Among his stops was a highlight-reel effort in the first when he slid across the crease, stacking his pads and windmilling out his catching hand to rob Mark Scheifele.

"That's pretty cool. The stack the pads, that's old school, Ron Hextall maybe?" said Flames defenceman Chris Tanev. "Definitely in those days. But a huge save for us and he made those all night."

Connor Hellebuyck finished with 32 stops at the other end. His record falls to 7-3-1.

Calgary plays host to the Los Angeles Kings on Monday, before heading back on the road for a six-game trip.