Stone scores late winner as Flames edge Ducks to remain in playoff hunt

The Calgary Flames twice battled back from deficits to edge the visiting Anaheim Ducks 5-4 on Sunday and stay in the NHL playoff hunt.

Flames defenceman Michael Stone put his notoriously heavy shot to use for the game-winner.

Stone credited his teammates' work in winning the offensive-zone draw to get him the puck.

"I had a little bit of time to wind up," Stone said.

Calgary (37-26-15) won a fourth straight game for the first time this season.

WATCH | Stone lifts Flames over Ducks:

The Flames were winless when trailing after two periods through 75 games.

They've now won back-to-back down after 40 minutes following Friday's 5-4 overtime win over the host Vancouver Canucks.

"It's the right time of year to do it," Stone said. "It would be better if we were in a different position, but it's good we're stringing some wins together."

Calgary remained two points back of the Winnipeg Jets holding down the final wild-card spot in the NHL's Western Conference.

The Nashville Predators were three points back of Calgary, but with two games in hand.

"Winnipeg won, so we needed to do our part," said Flames veteran Milan Lucic. "Five games left, we're probably going to have to win all of them."

Lucic contributed a third-period equalizer.

The Flames trailed 2-0 when Andrew Mangiapane, Nikita Zadorov and Nick Ritchie rattled off unanswered goals early in the second.

Calgary's Tyler Toffoli and Nazem Kadri each had two assists.

After stopping seven of nine shots in the first period, starter Jacob Markstrom was replaced by Dan Vladar, who earned the win with 11 saves.

Calgary's coach Darryl Sutter said he swapped goalies for the same reason he juggled his forward lines throughout the game.

"Just trying to get a little more jump," Sutter