Caufield's third-period goal helps Canadiens to 2-1 victory over Flames
Cole Caufield broke a third-period tie and Sean Monahan had a pair of assists against his old team as the Montreal Canadiens beat the Calgary Flames 2-1 on Thursday.
Rookie Juraj Slafkovsky, with his fourth goal of the season, also scored for Montreal (12-10-1), which has won seven of its past 11 games.
Elias Lindholm had the lone goal for Calgary (10-10-3). The Flames are 1-3-1 in their past five.
Jake Allen made 45 stops to improve to 7-8-0. Jacob Markstrom, who was only tested 19 times, had his record fall to 8-6-2.
Tied 1-1 in the third, the Canadiens got a power play six minutes into the period when Andrew Mangiapane was sent off for roughing. He grabbed Josh Anderson from behind after the Montreal forward gave a fake cross-check to Markstrom while the two exchanged words after a whistle.
Montreal entered play in a 1-for-17 tailspin with the man advantage. But on their second power-play of the night, they needed just 31 seconds to convert with Caufield leaning into a one-timer after being set up on a cross-ice pass by Nick Suzuki.
Slafkovsky gave Montreal the lead just 13 seconds in and the score remained that way until the final minute of the second when Calgary finally drew even.
Lindholm's attempt to centre the puck from behind the net was steered away by Allen.
While a scramble for the loose puck ensued at one side of the Canadiens' net, Lindholm curled out front undetected on the other side. When Jonathan Huberdeau ended up corralling the puck, he zipped it across the crease for a tap-in for Lindholm.
In his first game against his former team, Monahan was credited with an assist on the opening goal off a misplay by Markstrom.
The goalie charged out of his net after a loose puck and went into a sideways slide. Monahan was able to sidestep the Flames goalie, avoiding a collision, but Markstrom knocked the puck right to Slafkovsky who stepped around the netminder and fired it into the vacant net.
Markstrom has struggled at times this season. Coach Darryl Sutter rewarded goaltender Dan Vladar for his strong play of late with starts in three of the past four games.
Markstrom's early miscue drew the ire of the home fans, who responded with a Bronx jeer on his next save that came on a shot from a long way out.
Calgary outshot Montreal 12-6 in the opening period, but couldn't solve Allen. Their best chance was Blake Coleman's breakaway with two minutes left but Allen made a pad stop.
MONAHAN'S REVERED RETURN
Monahan was recognized with a video tribute during a first-period TV timeout and waved to the crowd as he was given a standing ovation.
He played 656 games over nine seasons with the Flames. Coming off his second hip surgery, he was traded to Montreal in the off-season.
UP NEXT
Canadiens: Game 2 of Montreal's four-game road trip goes Saturday night in Edmonton.
Flames: Calgary's five-game homestand continues Saturday against the Washington Capitals.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Spain abolishes national bullfighting award in cultural shift
Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.