FLAMES EARN ROAD WIN

CALGARY SNAPS THREE-GAME LOSING STREAK

Toronto falters after losing Auston Matthews to shoulder injury

Booed out of their own building at the conclusion of an embarrassing 9-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins last week, the Calgary Flames had a decision to make — feel sorry for themselves or recommit to their defensive structure.

Choosing the latter has paid immediate dividends.

Sean Monahan and Elias Lindholm scored 55 seconds apart in the third period as Calgary smothered the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 on Monday to snap a threegame losing streak.

“We put together 60 good minutes,” said Lindholm, who leads his team with eight goals after coming over in a blockbuster trade with the Carolina Hurricanes at the NHL draft. “We were above them all night, first to pucks, won battles.”

Lindholm and Monahan also had an assist each for Calgary (6-5-1), while Mike Smith made 24 saves. Michael Frolik added an empty netter late to seal the win.

The Flames took a step in the right direction after the disastrous Pittsburgh effort by battling back to force overtime against the Washington Capitals on Saturday before falling 4-3 in a shootout to the defending Stanley Cup champions.

They went one better against the listless Leafs, who lacked jump without Auston Matthews after it was announced earlier in the day the star centre would miss at least four weeks with a left shoulder injury.

Nazem Kadri, playing his 500th NHL game, replied for Toronto (8-4-0). Frederik Andersen stopped 31 shots in the loss.