Mikael Granlund saved his best for last.
The veteran forward completed a hat trick with one second remaining in overtime, one-timing a John Carlson pass in the high slot past goalie Devin Cooley on the power play to give the Anaheim Ducks a 3-2 win over the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome on Thursday.
Granlund has scored seven goals during a four-game scoring streak and is making the most of the hot stretch.
“The pucks are just going in right now, so obviously it’s a good feeling,” Granlund said. “There’s easier ways to find a way to win a game, but that’s how it’s been.”
Carlson had two assists and Ville Husso made 23 saves for Anaheim, which improved to 41-27-4 and has won four straight. The Ducks are now five points ahead of the Edmonton Oilers for first place in the Pacific Division and are 17-4 in games decided past regulation this season, the most in the NHL.
Coach Joel Quenneville acknowledged the Ducks have been fortunate to keep finding ways to win late.
“When they went ahead, I thought this is one of those nights that our luck is going to run out one of these days,” Quenneville said. “We’ll take it, but it would be nice to clean some things up.”
Blake Coleman and Matvei Gridin scored for Calgary, and Cooley made 30 saves. The Flames goalie was left frustrated by the timing of Granlund’s winner.
“That one stings,” Cooley said. “Just a couple seconds left, off a stick and over the shoulder. I saw it all the way and I was like, ‘I’ve got it,’ and boom, last second. So that stings a lot.”
Flames coach Ryan Huska said his team hurt itself by passing up scoring chances, pointing to a 3-on-0 rush in the opening minute that produced no shot on goal.
“At some point, someone’s got to shoot it in the net,” Huska said. “You can’t pass it in there.”
Anaheim played without forwards Jansen Harkins and Troy Terry, both dealing with injuries. Defenseman Radko Gudas also left the game with a lower-body injury in the second period. Quenneville said he expects Gudas to be OK after further evaluation.
Granlund’s goal tied Peter Douris for the latest overtime goal in Ducks franchise history.
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