CALGARY — Newbie Matvei Gridin scored a goal and helped with another in his first NHL game with more than one point, leading the Calgary Flames to a 4-3 win against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday.
Jonathan Huberdeau and Ryan Lomberg, who scored the winning goal, also contributed to Calgary’s victory (23-27-6). Nazem Kadri, MacKenzie Weegar, and Zach Whitecloud each provided two assists.
The Flames took the season matchup against their local rivals, winning three out of the four games they played.
Leon Draisaitl scored two goals, and Kasperi Kapanen added a goal for Edmonton (28-22-8) as the Oilers enter the Olympic Break on a three-game losing streak.
Flames goalie Devin Cooley made 36 saves to earn the win and improve his record to 7-6-3.
Tristan Jarry, who allowed four goals and made 21 saves, took the loss and is now 15-7-2.
The Flames never fell behind, with Huberdeau scoring the first goal just 3 minutes and 12 seconds into the game. After Draisaitl evened the game, Gridin got Calgary back in the lead at 14 minutes and 44 seconds into the first period.
With the Flames ahead 3-1, Draisaitl’s second goal on the power play brought the Oilers closer at 18 minutes and 26 seconds of the second period.
Kapanen tied the game 4 minutes and 17 seconds into the third period.
Both teams are now heading into the Olympic break, where they will have three weeks off before their next games in California, beginning a series of three away games.
Takeaways
Oilers: Edmonton has let up goals on five straight penalty kills as Calgary scored on both of their power plays in the first period. This was the Oilers’ first regulation loss on the road since the Flames beat them 3-2 on December 27. They had gone 4-0-1 since then.
Flames: Gridin’s third career goal was also his second in three games as the 19-year-old continues to shine while playing alongside Huberdeau and Morgan Frost. Joel Farabee has played well lately, scoring in the last two games, but couldn’t make it three in a row.
Key moment
A bouncing puck near the Oilers’ goal hit the skate of Lomberg and went toward the net, forcing Jarry to make a big save. Lomberg then scored on the rebound 6 minutes and 44 seconds into the third period.
Key stat
Draisaitl (1,036) surpassed Mark Messier (1,034) to move into fourth place on the Oilers’ all-time points list. He is seven points behind Jari Kurri, who is in third place. Wayne Gretzky (1,669) holds the top spot, followed by Connor McDavid (1,178).
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