Mikael Backlund had a goal and an assist as the Calgary Flames defeated the Florida Panthers 3-0 on Saturday and rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf Made 32 saves in the second shutout.
Nazem Kadri and Blake Coleman also scored for Calgary (15-11-5), which had allowed 21 goals in its previous four games, including Thursday against Tampa Bay of 8 balls. The Flames have a record of 7 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss in their past nine home games.
Florida State (18-11-2) was shut out for the second straight game, a year removed from the last time it happened. The defending Stanley Cup champions have lost consecutive games after losing seven straight.
Wolff ended a three-match losing streak and scored 14 goals in this game. He improved to 9-5-1 and led the league in wins among rookies.
Spencer Knight made 24 stops at the other end. His record fell to 5-5-1.
The only goal Calgary needed came 8:57 into the first period when Kadri stole the puck from Dmitry Kulikov in his own zone and scored on the ensuing breakaway Center with a beautiful Dirk backhand forehand.
Panthers: Florida lost 4-0 in Vancouver on Thursday and have led 146-01 since their last goal, the second period against Seattle in the first game of their five-game road trip. game. The goal was scored by captain Alexander Barkov, who was injured on Saturday due to illness. Florida State starts the day tied for fourth in the NHL in goals scored (106).
Flames: It was a solid rebound from Calgary in Thursday’s shootout against the Chargers, who gave up three power-play goals in three chances. Trailing 1-0, Florida went on a power play late in the first quarter, but the Flames shut down both games. Former Panthers player MacKenzie Weegar, who was playing in his 500th career NHL game, contributed to both kills.
At 11:34 of the second quarter, Backlund’s goal was called off after video review, erasing what appeared to be a two-goal buffer for the Flames, and with 55 seconds left in the second quarter, Calgary also scored. Matt Coronato made it 2-0 with an assist by Coleman, who beat Knight with a pad.
Wolfe continues his extreme divide between home and away. The 23-year-old was outstanding at the Scotiabank Saddledome, posting an 8-1-0 save percentage and two shutouts. On the road, he is 1-4-1 with a .862 save percentage.
Panthers: Visit the Edmonton Oilers on Monday.
Flames: Host the Boston Bruins on Tuesday.
