The Flames are alone in first place heading into the new year thanks to a big game

CALGARY Authentic Jaccob Slavin Jersey , Alberta (AP) — The Flames are alone in first place heading into the new year thanks to a big game from their best players.Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk each scored twice and added two assists, propelling Calgary to an 8-5 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Monday night.Sean Monahan had five assists for the Flames, a career high for points in one game. Gaudreau and Tkachuk tied their career bests.“I was happy with the way our team played,” Gaudreau said. “It was going back and forth and back and forth for a little, but found a way to take it over in the third and get a big team win.”Calgary never trailed and finished 2018 atop the Pacific Division, two points up on Vegas and three ahead of the Sharks.Mikael Backlund had two early goals and Elias Lindholm and James Neal also scored for the Flames, who improved to 8-1-3 in their last 12 home games. Lindholm set a career high with his 18th goal and added two assists.“Our first line is contributing and driving the bus, but a lot of guys chipped in today and that was big for the team, too,” Backlund said.Joonas Donskoi had two goals to lead San Jose. Lukas Radil, Brent Burns and Joe Thornton also scored, but the Sharks lost in regulation for just the second time in 11 games (7-2-2).“Every time we scored, they answered,” captain Joe Pavelski said. “It was one of those weird nights where everything that was directed at the net found the way in.”Lindholm gave Calgary a 5-3 lead with 27 seconds left in the second period on a pretty goal. Gaudreau raced down the right wing before stopping sharply, then sending a pass across the slot to Lindholm, who one-timed it past goalie Aaron Dell.Donskoi’s second of the night, 48 seconds into the third, drew the Sharks back within a goal Jeff Skinner Jersey , but Calgary restored its two-goal cushion on the first goal in 25 games for Neal.His fourth of the season and first since Nov. 1 was a lucky one. Sam Bennett patiently circled the Sharks end with the puck before firing it across the slot and banking it in off Neal’s skate.“Great play by Benny and it felt good to see it go in,” said Neal, who hit a post in the second period. “As of late, when you’re getting shots and you’re getting back into your groove, I think it’s visible, as a player and spectators watching, I think you can see my game start to get going a little bit more. It was a nice break.”Three minutes later, goals 41 seconds apart from Gaudreau — his 20th and 21st of the season — made it 8-4 and put the game away.It was a feisty game throughout and tempers flared in the final minute. With 41 seconds left, all 10 skaters on the ice got involved in a melee in the Flames end. Then, with 23 seconds to go, a hit from Bennett on Radim Simek crumpled the Sharks defenseman, and Barclay Goodrow jumped in to fight Bennett, who was assessed a match penalty.“Predatory,” was how Sharks coach Peter DeBoer responded when asked about Bennett’s hit.After the play, players from both benches yelled angrily at each other.“They got the lead in a game that got out of hand and it was kind of gutless at the end,” Pavelski said.David Rittich, making his seventh start in the last eight games, finished with 28 stops to get the win. He improved to 13-4-3.Dell went the distance for San Jose. The eight goals allowed came on 27 shots as he fell to 5-5-3.“That might have been the most bad luck I’ve seen in one game. Even their harmless shots ended up going off stuff and right in the net. Crazy http://www.officialhurricanes.com/authentic-adidas-jordan-staal-jersey , all-around game,” Dell said.NOTES: Calgary RW Michael Frolik returned to the lineup after being a healthy scratch the previous game and got his first two assists of the season. The first was the 200th of his career. … Thornton played career game No. 1,525, moving him ahead of Brendan Shanahan into 17th all-time. … Dion Phaneuf was the previous Flames player to have five assists in a game on Dec. 13, 2007.UP NEXTSharks: Play at Colorado on Wednesday night.Flames: Play at Detroit on Wednesday night. A look ahead to top enterprise and feature stories planned globally by AP Sports. New digests will go out each Thursday and Monday and will be repeated on other weekdays. Please note that story plans may change depending on news and other issues.For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport(at)ap.org or 877-836-9477. For reruns, call the Service Desk 800-838-4616 or your local AP bureau.As with all our operations, we welcome and want your feedback. If you have thoughts or questions about the Sports Showcase Digest or the material listed, please reach out to Oskar Garcia, assistant sports editor for the U.S. east region, at 215-446-6632 or at ogarcia(at)ap.org.All times are Eastern.——SATURDAY, March 31GLF–MASTERS-CHINESE FIRIt is the only hole at Augusta National that doesn’t have a bunker. No other hole on the back nine is shorter. Rory McIlroy watched the Masters every year when he was younger and didn’t see what was so difficult about the 440-yard 14th hole until he had to try it himself. ”There’s a 3-yard square you have to hit it,” he said. Sitting between the dynamic par 5s on the back nine, the hole called ”Chinese Fir” has played a key role over the years. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 3 a.m.With:GLF–MASTERS-ANNIVERSARIES. By Doug Ferguson. A capsule look at key moments over the years at the Masters. UPCOMING: 900 words, photos by 3 a.m.GLF–MASTERS-GOOD BEHAVIORPALM HARBOR, Fla. – Golf is getting younger, and the PGA Tour is going after its slice of the new generation to build a fan base. That has brought more energy Womens Justin Faulk Jersey , more volume and raucous behavior that has led to some high-profile players asking that fans be removed. Rory McIlroy suggested limiting alcohol sales. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan says it’s a good problem to have. But it won’t be a problem at the Masters, where fans know they best mind their manners. By Mark Long. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos by 3 p.m.—MONDAY, April 2HKN–ONE FOR 1,000Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook and Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin are the latest of only about 60 NHL players to reach 1,000 games with a single franchise. But that number will grow significantly in the coming years as stars and core players choose to re-sign with their current teams long term because of the collective bargaining agreement and hockey’s lean toward security over movement. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 5 a.m.—FRIDAY, April 6HKN–DEEP PREDATORSNASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Nashville Predators are having their best season yet through a combination of savvy drafting, surprising trades and a handful of salary cap-friendly contract extensions. General manager David Poile’s crafty moves have the defending Western Conference champs on the verge of what could be a dominant run in the NHL. By Teresa M. Walker. UPCOMING: 725 words, photos. Video.Again, if you have questions about the Sports Showcase Digest or the material listed, please reach out to Oskar Garcia, assistant sports editor for the U.S. east region, at 215-446-6632 or at ogarcia(at)ap.org.Thanks,AP Sports