Taking on the Calgary Flames in a crucial three-game series with playoff implications, the Montreal Canadiens hoped to continue their winning ways in Alberta. But the visitors’ winning streak was snapped at one, as the Flames’ desperation paid off in a must-win game for the home team.
After Phillip Danault won the opening faceoff, it was all Calgary in the opening sequence of the first period. The Flames forced the Canadiens to play deep in their own end, but Jake Allen made a couple of timely saves early on to give his team a chance to regroup.