Gaudreau collects 3 points in 5-1 win over Blackhawks

Johnny Gaudreau had a goal and two assists for the Calgary Flames in a 5-1 win against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center in Chicago on Sunday.

Matthew Tkachuk had a goal and an assist for the Flames (17-7-6), who have won two in a row after losing their previous four. Jacob Markstrom made 30 saves.
"I don't think we had a great start tonight," Calgary forward Trevor Lewis said. "They got a few more chances than we would like. It's just building our game back up again, being that good checking team, and good on the forecheck and getting pucks to the net, stuff like that. We've just got to keep building."

CGY@CHI: Lewis buries a beautiful backhander for SHG

Arvid Soderblom made 37 saves in his first NHL start for the Blackhawks (11-17-4), who were coming off a 6-1 loss at the Nashville Predators on Saturday and are 0-2-2 in their past four games.
"I think obviously yesterday was not a good game. Today I thought we played a little bit better, but still too many mistakes, leaving our goalie out to dry," Chicago forward Alex DeBrincat said. "That's what's going to happen when you play against a good team and give them chances like that."
DeBrincat put Chicago ahead 1-0 at 9:41 of the first period with a one-timer in the slot off a pass by Patrick Kane from behind the net. DeBrincat has scored four goals in his past five games.
"We can make excuses all day, but rust or no rust, we didn't play well," DeBrincat said.
Tkachuk tied it 1-1 when he redirected Gaudreau's centering pass by Soderblom's blocker at 13:13. He has scored six points (three goals, three assists) in a three-game point streak.
Elias Lindholm put Calgary in front 2-1 at 9:08 of the second period with a shot stick side from the top of the right circle on the power play.
Trevor Lewis extended the lead to 3-1 with a shorthanded goal at 17:46. His goal came 24 seconds after Soderblom made a glove save on Mikael Backlund's breakaway attempt.
"It was a good play by [Blake Coleman]," Lewis said. "He won the battle and got me the puck and I put it home. It was a big goal for sure. Obviously, special teams was huge for us tonight with the power play getting in there, too."
The Flames tied a franchise record with 26 shots in the second period. They also had 26 in the first period of a 6-6 tie against the New Jersey Devils on January 22, 1986.
"We talked about it in-between periods that we need to come out better and get our game in order and play the way we're used to," Lindholm said. "I think the second period showed how we can play when we play good hockey, and have a lot of shots and create a lot of chances. It was a fun period to be a part of. Want to see more of that."

CGY@CHI: Lindholm rips home a one-timer for a PPG

Soderblom kept the Blackhawks in it with two key saves in the third period. He stopped Backlund again on a breakaway with his toe at 3:16, then made a right pad save on Dillon Dube's penalty shot at 12:14.
Oliver Kylington shot into an empty net from inside his own blue line at 18:05 to make it 4-1, and Gaudreau beat Soderblom glove side on a 2-on-1 with 1:26 remaining for the 5-1 final.
"Even though we had two weeks off (prior to game against the Predators on Saturday), I don't think it's an excuse for our play," Chicago forward Henrik Borgstrom said. "We need to be better. Guys were feeling pretty good in practice and couple of guys coming back from different injuries. But yeah, we need to be better than this."
NOTES: Gaudreau has seven points (three goals, four assists) in a three-game point streak. ... Flames defenseman Chris Tanev played in his 600th NHL game. … Chicago is 2-3-1 in the second of a back to back this season. … The Blackhawks activated goalie Marc-Andre Fleury from NHL COVID-19 protocol prior to the game.