Matheson Lifts Canadiens Over Flames in Overtime
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By Nemanja Petković
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Summary:
- Mike Matheson scored less than a minute into overtime, helping the Montréal Canadiens defeat the Calgary Flames 2-1.
- Rookie goalie Jakub Dobes stayed unbeaten at 4-0-0, with 36 saves.
- The Flames’ rough patch continues, with 13 goals in eight games.
Mike Matheson sealed the game in overtime on Wednesday, lifting the Montréal Canadiens to a 2-1 victory over the Calgary Flames. Zachary Bolduc also found the back of the net for Montreal (6-2-0), which has now won six of its last seven games after dropping the opener against Toronto.
For Calgary (1-6-1), it was another tough night, extending their winless streak to seven games since beating Edmonton to start the year.
Dobes VS Wolf
The public witnessed a heated battle between the two goaltenders, with Montréal rookie Jakub Dobeš stopping 36 shots for his fourth straight win and improving to a spotless 4-0-0 record.
Dustin Wolf, last year’s Calder Trophy runner-up, also made 26 saves but dropped to 1-5-1. Both faced heavy pressure, with Dobes seeing more rubber overall and Wolf dealing with several high-danger chances.
Montréal took a 1-0 lead into the third period before Calgary finally broke through. At 5:56, Adam Klapka jumped on a costly turnover by Noah Dobson in front of the Canadiens’ net, stealing the puck and slipping it five-hole to tie the game.
Bolduc, at Home in Montréal
For Montréal, Bolduc continues to impress in his first season with the team. His four goals put him just one behind Cole Caufield for the team lead.
The 22-year-old winger, acquired from St. Louis in a July 1 trade involving 2021 first-round picks, scored 19 goals for the Blues last year and looks right at home in Montréal’s lineup.
Calgary, meanwhile, can’t seem to buy a goal. With just 13 tallies through eight games, the Flames have both the fewest goals in the league and the fewest in franchise history at this stage of a season.
The last time their numbers looked this grim was in their inaugural 1972-73 campaign as the Atlanta Flames.
Montréal Led Overtime
Montréal completely controlled the puck in overtime. While the Flames’ skaters struggled to get off the ice, the Canadiens managed a clean line change. Just 59 seconds in, Ivan Demidov spotted Matheson flying down the far side and sent a perfect cross-ice pass for a one-timer into the open net.
Calgary’s scoring slump is historically bad. Since the NHL began tracking shots in 1959-60, the lowest team shooting percentage in a full season was 6.9 percent by the 2014-15 Arizona Coyotes. The Flames sit at just 5.6 percent through eight games.
Up next, Montréal will head to Edmonton on Thursday, while Calgary will visit Winnipeg on Friday.
