NHL: Capitals blow 3-goal lead before pulling away from Flames

Connor McMichael’s second goal of the game broke a third-period tie and helped the Washington Capitals recover after surrendering a three-goal lead, beating the Calgary Flames 7-3 on Monday.

Justin Sourdif contributed a goal and two assists, while Hendrix Lapierre added a goal and an assist for the Capitals, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Tom Wilson, Ethen Frank, and Ryan Leonard also scored for Washington, with goaltender Logan Thompson stopping 23 shots.

Washington has now won 11 of its last 14 meetings against Calgary.

For the Flames, Matvei Gridin, Blake Coleman, and Yegor Sharangovich scored, while goalie Devin Cooley made 22 saves. Calgary has won just once in its last six games (1-4-1).

After blowing a 3-0 lead, the Capitals regained control in the third period. McMichael scored on a power play at 10:52 from the slot to put Washington back ahead. Sourdif extended the lead just 23 seconds later with a shot from the right faceoff dot that deflected off a defender. Frank added an empty-net goal at 17:14, and Leonard capped the scoring with a breakaway goal in the final seconds.

Washington built a three-goal lead after the first period. Lapierre opened the scoring at 2:45 with a rebound goal, marking his third goal in three career games against Calgary. Wilson doubled the lead at 9:13 with another rebound finish from the left circle. McMichael made it 3-0 by converting an open chance from the slot at 17:43.

The Flames rallied late in the second period with three quick goals. Gridin scored at 16:08 from the bottom of the right circle. Calgary then notched a pair of short-handed goals 76 seconds apart—the sixth-fastest span in club history. Coleman made it a one-goal deficit at 17:39, followed by Sharangovich tying the game after Joel Farabee’s steal set up a perfect chance.

-Field Level Media/Reuters