Gaudreau scores twice, Flames defeat Blackhawks to extend lead in Pacific

CHICAGO -- Johnny Gaudreau scored two goals to pass the 600-point mark in the NHL and help the Calgary Flames to a 5-2 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center on Monday.

Blake Coleman had a goal and an assist for the Flames (47-20-9), who extended their lead in the Pacific Division to nine points over the second-place Edmonton Oilers. Jacob Markstrom made 22 saves.
Calgary led 3-1 after the first period, when they outshot Chicago 14-6.
"I thought we had a good first period," Gaudreau said. "Obviously quick couple of goals there. I think we could've had a few more. Thought their goalie played pretty well there in the first, helped them stick around a little bit and then in the second, [we] kind of let our foot off the gas, and the third they pushed us back a little bit. But we stuck with it and got the win."
Kevin Lankinen made 30 saves, and Alec Regula scored his first NHL goal for the Blackhawks (25-40-11).
"I didn't mind our effort," Chicago coach Derek King said. "First period, we were sleepy. We spotted them a couple goals, but after that, I thought we were good. It wasn't a 5-2 hockey game for us. A couple of empty-netters, but it wasn't a 5-2 game. I thought we played well in the second and third."

The Flames took a 1-0 lead 22 seconds into the first period when Dillon Dube deflected Noah Hanifin's shot from the left point into the net. Dube knocked the puck down and it bounced in past Lankinen.
Gaudreau made it 2-0 at 6:23. He picked up the puck behind the net and circled from the left face-off circle to the right circle before lifting a wrist shot over Lankinen's stick. It was his NHL career-high 37th of the season.
"Playing with some good players, obviously," Gaudreau said. "You don't do that by yourself. Not only our line but our 'D's done a great job, jumping up in the rush throughout the year, making plays. A lot of help from those guys in the locker room."
Tyler Johnson brought Chicago to within 2-1 at 7:06. Jonathan Toews' pass from behind the net intended for Dominik Kubalik went through to Johnson, who shot it past Markstrom.
The Flames scored on another deflection to increase their lead to 3-1 at 14:41. Oliver Kylington shot from the left point, and Coleman knocked it out of midair and past Lankinen.

Regula's goal cut Calgary's lead to 3-2 at 12:54. His shot from the left point hit the post and bounced in off Markstrom's back.
"I think I owe Markstrom a steak dinner on that one," Regula said. "I feel like I've been kind of around it, so it was nice to get a bounce like that. "[The Flames] are a really good team. Some ups and downs. We had good moments, had bad moments. You always want to win, so it's kind of bittersweet."
Gaudreau scored an empty-net goal at 18:28 for his 38th of the season and his 601st NHL point (208 goals, 393 assists). Kylington scored into an empty net at 18:53 for the 5-2 final.
"Really good game, I thought," Markstrom said. "The start is something we've been talking a lot about, and I thought we were ready to go right off the hop. As a goalie, when you score a few goals, it's nice. You know it's not a 0-0 game or you're not down. It's always easier playing with the lead, and I think we've been great doing that all year. Then, I enjoy not having too many shots because that means we're in the other end. So, the guys have been great all year with O-zone time and got to keep going."
NOTES: Gaudreau (107 points; 38 goals, 69 assists in 76 games) tied Guy Chouinard (107 points in 1978-79) for fourth on the Flames list for points in a season. … It was Gaudreau's 33rd multigoal game in the NHL. … Gaudreau is the fifth player to reach 600 points with the Flames and required the third-fewest games (596) to achieve the feat, trailing Theo Fleury (555) and Joe Nieuwendyk (564). … Chicago forward MacKenzie Entwistle left the game after playing 1:51 in the first period. King said Entwistle sustained a "stinger" in his shoulder and likely would not accompany the team on its upcoming trip to Arizona, Los Angeles and San Jose. … King said rookie forward Lukas Reichel will be re-assigned "right away" to Rockford of the American Hockey League to "play meaningful games." Reichel has one assist in 11 NHL games this season.