Tkachuk's 5-assist effort sparks Flames over Blues, back into playoff spot

Better known for his highlight-reel goals and agitating ways, Matthew Tkachuk showed off a different aspect of his game Monday night.

"See a play, make a play. It's pretty simple," said Tkachuk, who had his four-game goal streak snapped. "Be around the net, try to have good hands in tight and whether it's in the corner or on the walls, just look for my linemates and spread out the zone."

Playing on his off wing this season with Gaudreau on the left side and Elias Lindholm at centre, Darryl Sutter says that move has opened up more opportunities.

"Matthew's got great vision when he's got the puck," Sutter said. "And playing on his off wing this year gives him a whole different dynamic of what he can see and what he can do and he's making the most of it."

WATCH | Flames' Tkachuk, Gaudreau team up for big night:

Three of his assists came in the second period as Calgary outshot St. Louis 18-2 and scored four times to blow the game open.

"Smart player. He can see the ice really well. Uses his teammates," Gaudreau said of Tkachuk. "He made some big plays tonight and thankfully we got a win for Matt."

Tkachuk has 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) in 13 career games against St. Louis, for whom his Dad, Keith, a former Blue, now works.

"Obviously my linemates and teammates know how much I want to win against those guys, my hometown team," Tkachuk said.

Nikita Zadorov, Chris Tanev, Elias Lindholm, Sean Monahan, Blake Coleman and Adam Ruzicka also scored for Calgary (19-12-6), which won for just the second time in seven games.

The Flames head out on a two-game road trip that starts in Columbus on Wednesday and ends Thursday in St. Louis.

"I'm sure we'll see a lot different of a team when we go there in two or three nights,"