Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach star in shootout as Canadiens rally past Flames 2-1

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen is congratulated by teammates after stopping the Calgary Flames in the shootout to win 2-1 in Montreal on Dec. 12, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

MONTREAL -

It's rare that goalies are the stars in an NHL shootout, but Calgary's Jacob Markstrom and Montreal's Jake Allen stole the show on Monday.

Flames forward Tyler Toffoli took a double-minor penalty at the start of overtime but Markstrom denied the Canadiens for four minutes to force a shootout. Allen got the last laugh on the other side of the ice, however, denying Rasmus Andersson and Nazem Kadri in the shootout to seal the Canadiens' 2-1 win.

“We had some good looks, Markstrom made some great saves. You gotta give credit to the PK sometimes,” said Allen. "I think our guys moved the puck really well and had good opportunities and sometimes it just doesn’t go in.

"That’s hockey and we got it done in shootouts so it’s not a big deal.”

Nick Suzuki and Kirby Dach scored in the shootout as the Canadiens snapped a three-game home losing skid.

“(Allen) was great, he came up huge on penalty kills,” Suzuki said. “Big saves in big moments there in the third and he gave us the chance to get the two points.”

Josh Anderson tied the game for Montreal (14-12-2) in the third period, forcing overtime. Allen made 34 saves over three periods and the extra frame.

“I think that it was a good team win,” said Habs coach Martin St. Louis. “We weren’t perfect but I think that it was one of our best games from start to finish in the details."

Jonathan Huberdeau scored in the second period for Calgary (13-11-5). Toffoli picked up one assist in his first game back in Montreal since getting traded to Calgary last season.

Markstrom made 37 saves as the Flames stayed winless in their three-game road trip.

“A loss is a loss. Gotta be better than the other goalie and gotta let in fewer goals than the other goalie,” said Markstrom. “You know, that's my job, and that's what it's about.”

After a scoreless opening period, Huberdeau jumped on a loose puck 5:04 into the second to break the ice for the Flames.

In a scary moment, Flames defenceman Chris Tanev took a Suzuki slap shot to the head while attempting to block a scoring chance during a Montreal power play. He skated off the ice, with help from his teammates. Tanev did not return to the game.

“It's tough, I mean, he doesn't stay down very often so when he stays down, you're worried,” Markstrom added. “I haven't talked to him after, but hopefully he's OK.”

The Flames announced following the game that Tanev was sent to the hospital and his tests were negative, allowing him to travel back to Calgary where he will be re-evaluated.

Suzuki took down Kadri with a check to the head five minutes later, which also sent the Calgary centre to the dressing room. Kadri returned in the third period.

Canadiens winger Cole Caufield was taken to the dressing room in the second following a check from Trevor Lewis. Caufield did not return to the game and was listed with an upper-body injury.

“I think it happened quickly,” St. Louis said. “I don’t know if it was incidental or dirty, I just think it was one of those hockey plays.”

The Habs levelled the score at 1:40 of the third period when Juraj Slafkovsky found Anderson in front of the net who tapped in his eighth goal of the campaign.

In overtime, Toffoli took a double-minor high-stick call giving the opposition an extra time man-advantage for a second straight game. Joel Armia had the game-winner on the edge of his stick but was denied by Markstrom, sending the game to a shootout.

TOFFOLI HOMECOMING

Toffoli’s stay with the Montreal Canadiens was a short but memorable one. The winger, who was a part of the Canadiens’ Stanley Cup run in 2020-21, returned to the Bell Centre for the first time since the trade that sent him to the Flames.

The 30-year-old received an ovation during a TV timeout in the first period.

UP NEXT

The Canadiens will make the short trek to Ottawa to take on the Senators on Wednesday.

The Flames will return to Calgary to welcome the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday.