For the first four months of the season, the Golden Knights largely avoided giving up back-breaking goals in the final two minutes of a period.
But Sunday’s setback at Calgary continued a disturbing trend since the All-Star break after the Knights allowed late goals in the first and second periods of their 6-3 loss.
Matthew Tkachuk converted a 2-on-1 with 1:02 left in the first period to put the Flames up 3-1, and Mikael Backlund’s disputed power-play goal with 21.8 seconds remaining in the second period proved to be the game-winner.
“It was a big goal, obviously, late in the period like that,” coach Gerard Gallant said of Backlund’s tally.