Leafs can't solve Johnson as Flames blank Leafs

CALGARY, AB -- Chad Johnson posted a 39-save shutout and the Flames scored two goals in the first 49 seconds of the opening puck drop as the Calgary Flames blanked the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-0 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Wednesday.
Johnson's shutout marked his third of the season, a career high for the 30-year-old goaltender. He's also the first Flames goaltender with three shutouts in a calendar month since Fred Brathwaite did it back in 1999.
"I just try and be as consistent as possible in my positioning," Johnson said. "There were some rebounds that guys were doing good on there. They were throwing pucks on net and there was some traffic.
"I think overall it was good but I try to play the same way every night. That's always the challenge everybody has ... to be consistent. "
With the win, the Flames improved to 11-13-2 while the Leafs fell to 10-9-4 on the season. Calgary has not lost in regulation when leading after two periods (8-0-1).
Freddie Hamilton, Kris Versteeg and Matt Stajan scored for Calgary.
Jhonas Enroth surrendered two goals on the first three shots he faced and finished the game with 26 saves.

It took all of 19 seconds for the Flames to get on the scoreboard and for Freddie Hamilton to collect his first marker of the season. Hamiton ripped a shot past Enroth, the first shot of the game, and the Flames took an early 1-0 lead.
"We have talked a lot about our starts, trying to get out of the gates," Flames coach Glen Gulutzan said. "We prepped all day and it's nice to get that start.
"I thought the line of Freddie Hamilton, Garnet Hathaway and, Micheal Ferland were effective for us all night and it was good they got rewarded."
Versteeg extended Calgary's lead just 30 seconds later when he buried a rebound past Enroth for his third of the season.
It was the first time in almost 30 years the Flames tallied two goals in the first minute of a game. The last time came on Mar. 11, 1987 in a match against the Hartford Whalers. They accomplished that feat in 36 seconds. It was also the first time in almost five years since it happened in the NHL.
"Tonight was a night like that," Versteeg said. "An all-around effort from everyone. In order to win every night we've got to hold leads and we've got to get out in front some nights to make it better for us instead of battling all the way to the end. It was a very good win all around."

Calgary continued their first-period assault with a nifty three-way passing play that ended up with Stajan, wide open in front of the Toronto goal, redirecting the puck past Enroth.
That was all the offence the Flames would need as Johnson would carry the load the rest of the way.
The Leafs pressed in the second and third but couldn't solve Johnson.
"That's the mental side of it," Johnson said. "When you get up three goals early to really stay engaged. They just pressed. We knew they were going to come out in the second and third and push us and try to get back in the game. We did a good job to hold them off."
Johnson robbed Michael Nylander from point-blank range just over three minutes into the second period, flashing the leather to preserve Calgary's 3-0 lead.
The Flames goaltender made another remarkable save with a minute left in the second, a scrum ensued in front of the Flames goal with several Toronto players whacking at the puck. Nikita Soshnikov tried to sweep the puck in but out of nowhere Johnson stuck his pad out to deny the opportunity.
He was fantastic," Gulutzan said of Johnson. "We were a tired hockey club, I loved our start but when you get a goaltending performance that [Chad Johnson] gave us it gives you a chance.
"We were hanging on a little bit in the middle of the second and into the third but he bailed us out."
"We can do better than this; we are going to have to play better than this. We've played better games at home where we didn't get rewarded. I liked the way we prepared mentally to start this game... It's something to build on."

He also stopped Mitch Marner on a breakaway 7:33 into the third period when he got his glove on the attempt to bury the puck on the glove side.
"Each and every night it gives you confidence that you have a chance to win," Versteeg said. Johnny has been amazing, especially the last little while since he's come in.
"You really can't speak highly enough about him as a person and a player and he definitely deserves it."
NOTES: Johnny Gaudreau skated at Calgary's morning skate, he says his finger rehab is coming along good but no update on his return. Brad Treliving said Lance Bouma is close to returning to the lineup. Forwards Mark Jankowski and Hunter Shinkaruk, and defenseman Brett Kulak were scratched against the Leafs.
UP NEXT: The Flames visit the New York Islanders at Barclays Center on Monday (5 p.m. MT; SNW, SN960).