Chiasson nets game winner in triumph over Bruins

BOSTON, MA -- Chad Johnson is on fire.

Johnson made 35 saves, and Sam Bennett had a goal and an assist to help the Calgary Flames to a 2-1 win against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on Friday.

Alex Chiasson also scored for the Flames, who have won three of the first four games in a season-long six-game road trip.

"It's huge for our team … all-around … our confidence," Bennett said. "[Johnson] was awesome in net tonight, again. It's really big for our team and hopefully, we can get on a roll and keep using the energy that we've got."

Johnson is 6-2-0 with a 1.63 GAA, .939 save percentage and two shutouts since Nov. 1.

"I'm positional and technical," Johnson said. "I work hard in the summers to be that, to be technical. It carries over, obviously, in the games. The guys are just doing a good job on getting results. That's the thing. I think when you get results, your game gets some attention, I guess. When you lose people always find things to look at.

"But I've felt great all year. That's my game. Simple. In position. Try to make it look easy and not scramble too much there and give the teams confidence and make the saves I'm supposed to."

David Pastrnak scored, and Anton Khudobin made 27 saves for the Bruins.

Chiasson scored at 7:05 in the third period to put the Flames up 2-1, just 70 seconds after Pastrnak tied the game. Bennett skated with the puck behind the net but dished a quick pass back out the short side to Chiasson, who lifted a shot by an unsuspecting Khodobin to restore Calgary's lead.

"I'll admit I was a little surprised," Chiasson said. "I know from playing against him that he's got some skill set. It's been nice to have him on our line. I think he feels like he can play his game. Me and [Matt Stajan] are trying to compliment him as much as we can. He doesn't have to worry about other guys he's playing with. It showed tonight.

"He was probably our best player tonight."

Pastrnak had pulled the Bruins even after lifting a loose puck in the crease over Johnson at 5:55 on Boston's 29th shot of the game.

Bennett scored 8:35 into the first period to put the Flames up 1-0. TJ Brodie forced a turnover in the Flames end, and Stajan sprung Bennett on a partial break before Bennett snapped a shot short side by Khudobin.

Bennett has two goals in his past five games after going nine straight without scoring.

"Obviously it's no secret I've been having some struggles offensively," Bennett said. "It's nice to pot one tonight."

Johnson kept the Bruins at bay through the first 40 minutes of the game.

Patrice Bergeron fanned on his shot and the puck slid across to Pastrnak, who quickly fired but was stopped as Johnson came across to trap the puck under his skate at 8:02.

"I don't know if he shot it or it deflected off him, but there was the first shot and it hit a guy and it went to that side and then over to my left and back over again," Johnson said. "I just tried to get my leg over and ripped my groin. It was just instinct."

Johnson also stopped Matt Beleskey's one-timer at 16:40.

Bergeron fired the puck into an empty net with Johnson down 3:01 into the second period, but Flames coach Glen Gulutzan successfully challenged that Brad Marchand interfered with Johnson before the puck entered the net.

Johnson then stopped Marchand's one-timer from the edge of the crease at 11:04 as part of an 11-save period.

"I just think he's been fantastic," Gulutzan said. "I do give our guys credit, though, for limiting rebound chances against him. He's making the first save, which you need, and he's given us great goaltending there and then the guys are limiting those second chances. It's a good combination right now."

NOTES: Bennett also led the game with four hits. Calgary successfully killed all four Bruins power plays. Forward Mark Jankowksi and defenceman Jyrki Jokipakka were healthy scratches. Jankowski was recalled from Stockton of the American Hockey League on Friday morning. Forward Kris Versteeg did not play because of injury.
UP NEXT: The Flames visit the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on Sunday (5:30 P MT; SNW, SN960).