Flames use momentum of early lead to race past Chicago for 7th win in 8 games

Johnny Gaudreau, Dillon Dube and Blake Coleman scored in the first period, and the Calgary Flames beat lowly Chicago 5-2 on Monday night in Chicago.

Jacob Markstrom made 21 saves as playoff-bound Calgary won for the seventh time in eight games. Gaudreau and Oliver Kylington tacked on long empty-netters for the Pacific Division leaders in the final 1:32.

Chicago lost for the 10th time in 11 games. Tyler Johnson and Alec Regula scored, and Kevin Lankinen made 30 stops.

Chicago was down 3-1 when Regula's long shot from the top of the left circle appeared to go off Markstrom and into the net 12:54 into the second period. It was the first career point for the defenceman in his 13th NHL game.

But that was it for Chicago against Markstrom and Co. Markstrom made a glove save on Reese Johnson with 4:09 left in the third, and the two empty-netters put it away for Calgary.

WATCH | Flames sprint past lowly Chicago:

The Flames got off to a fast start behind Dube, who redirected Noah Hanifin's shot past Lankinen just 22 seconds in. It was Dube's fourth goal in his last three games and No. 14 on the season, extending his career high.

It was Gaudreau's career-best 37th goal and his 600th point. He had two goals and two assists during Saturday night's 9-1 victory against Arizona.

Gaudreau nearly picked up another point when he set up Calle Jarnkrok with about eight minutes left, but Lankinen made a great right pad stop.

Coleman's 16th goal on a well-placed tip at 14:41 lifted Calgary to a 3-1 lead after one. The Flames outshot Chicago 14-6 in the opening period.