Flames Win 10th Straight With Late Goal to Beat Struggling Jets

Elias Lindholm scored with just 47 seconds left to play as the Calgary Flames stole one from the Winnipeg Jets on Monday afternoon. Despite a tremendous road effort, especially in the third period, the Jets couldn't hang on and earn a point as the Flames scored twice in the final minute (the second into an empty net) and beat Winnipeg 3-1. It was Calgary's 10th win in a row even though they had only six shots on goal in the third period -- only two by the 18-minute mark. Lindholm's winning goal (it gave him a goal in a Calgary record of eight straight games) was certainly controversial as the Jets challenged, claiming goaltender interference. That challenge probably wasn't outlandish, but there was no way the game would be, potentially, decided on that type of call. As it was, Tyler Toffoli scored into an empty net to make it 3-1 and the Jets, despite a superb defensive effort ad a great game from goaltender Connor Hellebuyck still lost their second straight. It was a heartbreaking way to open a tough four-game road trip. With the loss Winnipeg fell to 22-20-8 on the season and once again, the Jets lost because they couldn't score. This is a team that spent a lot of money on goal scoring, but when players such as Nikolaj Ehlers and Cole Perfetti are forced out of the lineup, the Jets don't generate much offence. Ehlers' absence certainly hurts Winnipeg's pace of play. Newly acquired Adam Brooks played his first game for the Jets but admitted between the first and second periods that he was having difficulty finding his legs after a week in which he was waived and claimed twice. In the end, he received 14 minutes and 12 seconds of ice time and was barely noticeable. This was a game the Jets might very well have won if they could have taken advantage of a number of great chances in the third. However, despite some golden opportunities around Flames netminder Jacob Markstrom -- especially off the stick of Kyle Connor -- the Jets couldn't break a 1-1 tie. After a scoreless first period in which the Jets fought off three Calgary power plays, including one two-man disadvantage, the Flames opened the scoring on a power-play goal (surprise, surprise) by Sean Monaghan at 1:07 of the second period. Andrew Mangiapane and Noah Hanifin drew the assists as Calgary was clearly the better team when they had the man-advantage. The Jets, however, tied the game at the 7:39 mark of the second period when D Dominic Toninato tipped home a shot off the stick of D-man Neal Pionk. Brenden Dillon also drew an assist. The second period ended with the teams deadlocked at one apiece although Calgary had a potential goal disallowed after a coach's challenge found that Flames goalscorer Elias Lindholm was off-side. Calgary had outshot Winnipeg 25-15 after 40 minutes, 8-2 on the power play. The Jets last shot on goal came at 11:21 of the second period. Calgary went one-for-four with the man advantage while the Jets were zero-for-two. In the third period, the Jets couldn't take advantage of the only power play and Calgary scored late to win it. It was a tough pill to swallow. Calgary outshot the Jets 31-23, but Winnipeg outshot the Flames 8-6 in the third. Calgary won 51 per cent of the face-offs. They say the Flames outhit the Jets 19-16 but whomever was counting must have been drunk. Toninato had the Jets best line with a goal and a point while finishing plus-one. He also had a shot and a hit in just 10 minutes of ice time. The Jets play again on Wednesday night in Dallas. Game time is 6:30 CST on Sportsnet.