Markstrom records shutout, Flames top Canucks 3-0

Sean Monahan, Dillon Dube and Matthew Tkachuk scored power-play goals and Jacob Markstrom’ made 32 saves and shut out his former team as the Calgary Flames beat the Vancouver Canucks 3-0 Saturday night.

Calgary’s home-opener was the first NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome since March 8, 2020, a span of 10 months and eight days.

Vancouver goaltender Braden Holtby stopped 32 of 35 shots in the loss.

Vancouver Canucks' Alexander Edler, left, looks on as goalie Braden Holtby, right, gives up a goal, while Calgary Flames' Milan Lucic tries to get out of the way during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Calgary, Alberta. (Jeff McIntoshThe Canadian Press via AP)

Flames offseason acquisitions Markstrom, defenseman Chris Tanev and forward Josh Leivo faced their former Canucks teammates.

Markstrom played a combined 243 regular-season and playoff games for Vancouver, while Tanev played 10 seasons, and Leivo his last two for the Canucks.

Both Markstrom and Tanev made life difficult for their former club. Tanev led the Flames in blocked shots with seven including three when Calgary was short-handed.

Vancouver Canucks' Bo Horvat, left, looks on as the puck passes over Calgary Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Calgary, Alberta. (Jeff McIntoshThe Canadian Press via AP)

Former Flames defenseman Travis Hamonic returned to the Saddledome with the Canucks.

The Canucks (1-2-0) played their third road game in four nights.

NOTES: Flames goaltender David Rittich dressed Saturday after sitting out the season-opener because of family issues. ... Off-season acquisition Dominik Simon made his Flames debut Saturday. ... Calgary is 9-8-3 in home openers since turn of the century.

Vancouver Canucks goalie Braden Holtby, right, and Tanner Pearson, center, keep Calgary Flames' Matthew Tkachuk away from the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Calgary, Alberta. (Jeff McIntoshThe Canadian Press via AP)

UP NEXT

The Flames and Canucks complete a two-game set on Monday.

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Vancouver Canucks' Tyler Myers, left, and Calgary Flames' Sean Monahan stretch for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Calgary, Alberta. (Jeff McIntoshThe Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Canucks goalie Braden Holtby, left, watchees the puck as Calgary Flames' Josh Leivo closes in during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Calgary, Alberta. (Jeff McIntoshThe Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Canucks' Nils Hoglander, right, scrambles for the puck in front of Calgary Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom, center, and Flames' Mark Giordano during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Calgary, Alberta. (Jeff McIntoshThe Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Canucks' Alexander Edler, right, is checked by Calgary Flames' Dillon Dube during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Calgary, Alberta. (Jeff McIntoshThe Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Canucks goalie Braden Holtby, right, makes a save as Calgary Flames' Milan Lucic looks for the rebound during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Calgary, Alberta. (Jeff McIntoshThe Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Canucks' Elias Pettersson, right, collides with Calgary Flames' Sam Bennett during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Calgary, Alberta. (Jeff McIntoshThe Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Canucks' Olli Juolevi, right, is checked by Calgary Flames' Dominik Simon during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Calgary, Alberta. (Jeff McIntoshThe Canadian Press via AP)

Play begins as the Vancouver Canucks and the Calgary Flames play in the Flames' home-opener NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Calgary, Alberta. (Jeff McIntoshThe Canadian Press via AP)