Toffoli tallies in debut as Flames beat Jackets; extend win streak to seven

CALGARY — Newly acquired Tyler Toffoli scored in his Flames debut to help lead Calgary to a 6-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets Tuesday night, extending Calgary's winning streak to a season-high seven games.

Erik Gudbranson, Elias Lindholm, Matthew Tkachuk, Dillon Dube, and Adam Ruzicka also scored for Calgary (27-13-6), which moves past Vegas into first place in the Pacific Division, one point up on the Golden Knights. The Flames also hold two games in hand.

Playing the fourth game of a seven-game homestand, the Flames continue to torch their opponents, having also won seven games in a row at the Saddledome, outscoring the opposition 35-8 over that span.

Adam Boqvist and Zach Werenski scored for Columbus (23-23-1), which entered the game on a three-game winning streak and having won five straight on the road. The Blue Jackets wrap up their five-game road trip in Chicago on Thursday.

Making his first start in 39 days and his first home appearance of the season, rookie Flames goaltender Dan Vladar made 18 stops to improve to 7-3-1.

At the other end, Elvis Merzlikins made his fifth straight start for the Blue Jackets. While less busy compared to three weeks ago in Columbus when he was peppered with 62 shots in a 6-0 loss to Calgary, he still faced 41 shots. His record falls to 17-13-1.

Toffoli's goal came at 11:04 of the third period. Johnny Gaudreau flipped the puck high in the air with Toffoli chasing it down and neatly putting away his 10th goal as he cut across the net and outwaited Merzlikins.

The half-capacity Saddledome crowd immediately erupted and shortly after, chants of “Tyler Toffoli, Tyler Toffoli” started.

The 29-year-old right winger was acquired Monday in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens. He