The Canadian’s offense continued to lack finishing and the team once again collapsed on Tuesday evening at the Bell Centre.
Connor Zary had a goal and an assist, Jacob Markstorm made 33 saves and the Calgary Flames defeated the Montreal team 2-1.
The Habs have not scored more than two goals in regulation time in their last four outings (2-2-0).
The execution around the opposing net was often lacking Tuesday night. And when the Canadian knocked on the door, Markstrom answered.
Gustav Lindström scored the only goal for the Canadian (7-7-2). Samuel Montembeault stopped 27 shots.
Nazem Kadri scored the other goal for the Flames (5-8-2).
Lindström was inserted into the Canadian’s lineup in relief of Jordan Harris. The latter suffered an upper body injury Saturday against the Boston Bruins.
For his part, striker Jesse Ylönen took the place of Michael Pezzetta.
The Canadian will play his next game on Thursday, when the Vegas Golden Knights are the visitors at the Bell Centre.
The most opportunists prevail
The spectacle was entertaining during the first 10 minutes of play, with both teams accumulating 15 shots on goal.
Cole Caufield hit Markstrom on the mask with a high shot from close range, while Brendan Gallagher narrowly missed a deflection into an open net.
The Flames opened the scoring 2:35 into the second period. Kadri made fun of Christian Dvorak’s coverage, then surprised Montembeault by shooting after spinning around.
The Canadian responded 17 seconds later. Posted behind the net, Dvorak joined Lindström, who took a one-timer. The puck bounced off defenseman Rasmus Andersson before crossing the goal line.
Markstrom showed up moments later, frustrating Jake Evans on a two-on-one run while the Canadian was shorthanded. He was lucky a little later, when Josh Anderson hit the crossbar.
Zary gave the Flames the lead again with 6:53 left in the second period. He completed a nice exchange started by Andersson and Martin Pospisil.
Andrew Mangiapane briefly gave the Flames a two-goal cushion at 4:10 of the third period. However, coach Martin St-Louis won a challenge, since the replays showed that there had been offside earlier in the sequence. The goal was therefore canceled.
Mike Matheson surprised Markstrom with a long shot midway through the third period, but it hit the post.
The Canadian then obtained a numerical advantage, but it was the Flames who knocked on the door during a two-man descent against the goalkeeper. Blake Coleman, however, missed the target after a pass from Elias Lindholm.
Markstrom put an exclamation point on his performance by stealing a goal from Anderson with his glove with 68 seconds left on the clock.