Gaudreau scores early in OT, Flames edge Canucks 4-3

Johnny Gaudreau scored 23 seconds into overtime and the Calgary Flames defeated the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 on Monday night.

Calgary salvaged the victory after squandering a 3-2 lead in the final minute of regulation.

Dillon Dube, Milan Lucic and Elias Lindholm scored for the Flames in regulation. Rasmus Andersson had two assists.

Vancouver Canucks left wing Antoine Roussel (26) and Calgary Flames center Sean Monahan (23) push one another during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Jonathan HaywardThe Canadian Press via AP)

Tanner Pearson, Bo Horvat and Brock Boeser scored for Vancouver.

Jacob Markstrom stopped 30 of 33 shots for the Flames. Thatcher Demko had 23 saves for Vancouver.

Vancouver held a two-goal lead near the end of the first period but saw the game start to slip away on a series of costly mistakes.

Calgary Flames left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) fights for control of the puck with Vancouver Canucks left wing Tanner Pearson (70) during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Jonathan HaywardThe Canadian Press via AP)

The game was the third of a four-game series between the teams. Calgary has two wins heading into the final matchup on Wednesday.

Twenty-three seconds into overtime, Gaudreau scored with a shot from low in the left-hand circle. There were some tense moments as officials reviewed the play for potential offside, but the goal was upheld after video review.

Boeser forced overtime by scoring on shot past Demko with 30.2 seconds left in regulation. It was a short-handed goal as Vancouver defenseman Quinn Hughes sat in the box. The Canucks pulled Demko in a desperate bid to salvage the game.

Vancouver Canucks center Jay Beagle (83) fights for control of the puck with Calgary Flames defenseman Connor Mackey (3) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Jonathan HaywardThe Canadian Press via AP)

NOTES: Connor Mackey registered an assist on Lucic’s goal, marking the first point of the 24-year-old defenseman’s NHL career. … Calgary’s Mikael Backlund did not play after suffering a lower-body injury on Saturday.

UP NEXT

The Flames and Canucks wrap up their four-game set on Wednesday.

Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) makes a save during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Jonathan HaywardThe Canadian Press via AP)

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Calgary Flames center Elias Lindholm (28) puts Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers (57) into the boards during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Jonathan HaywardThe Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) looks on as Calgary Flames left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) tries to get a shot on net during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Jonathan HaywardThe Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Canucks fight with the Calgary Flames during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Jonathan HaywardThe Canadian Press via AP)

Calgary Flames left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) fights for control of the puck with Vancouver Canucks left wing Tanner Pearson (70) during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Jonathan HaywardThe Canadian Press via AP)

Calgary Flames left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) fights for control of the puck with Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller (9) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Jonathan HaywardThe Canadian Press via AP)