Canadian: Jake Allen extinguishes the Flames

Jake Allen caused major headaches for the Calgary Flames on Thursday at the Scotiabank Saddledome, leading the Montreal Canadiens to a 2-1 win.

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The masked Habs man, whose uneven performances recently allowed Samuel Montembeault to get two consecutive starts, stopped 45 pucks in the duel of the day.

Cole Caufield marked his 100th game on the Bettman circuit in style by scoring the game-winning goal, making it his 40th career goal. In the third period, he gave fans of the Canadiens an impression of deja-vu by unleashing a violent throw on reception from the circle of face-offs in massive attack.

The absence of Mike Hoffman, injured, allowed Juraj Slafkovsky to get another chance on an offensive line of the Habs. The Slovak needed 13 small seconds to take advantage of it, becoming the author of the third fastest goal in CH history.

As Sean Monahan looked like he was about to break free against his former team, goalkeeper Jacob Markstrom played bold and attempted a long way out of his net. The 18-year-old winger took the chance to score his fourth career goal.

Slafkovsky undoubtedly had one of his best games with CH. Dominating in his one-on-one battles, he even took advantage of a breakaway in the second period, but he hit the post.

Monahan also looked very good against his ex-teammates. He had two assists in the win.

Trailing for almost 40 minutes, mostly due to Allen’s brilliance, the Flames responded at the very end of the middle frame. The doorman of the Canadian was not to blame on the sequence; Jonathan Huberdeau spotted an Elias Lindholm left completely alone in front of the net.

The Habs will continue their trip to Western Canada in Edmonton, where they will face the Oilers on Saturday.