Dube scores twice, Vladar makes 25 saves as Flames roll past Blues
Calgary forward Walker Duehr nets 1st NHL goal in 4-1 win
Walker Duehr made history with his first career NHL goal.
Duehr's first goal for Calgary on Thursday night broke a scoreless tie in the second period, and the 23-year-old winger who was born in Sioux Falls became the first South Dakota-born player to score in the NHL.
"This shows that anybody who puts their head down and goes to work can achieve pretty great things," Duehr said.
Dube broke a one-all tie, scoring with 9:10 left in regulation and added an empty-netter in the final minutes. Blake Coleman pushed the lead to 3-1 with his eighth goal of the season with 3:56 left.
Calgary has recorded points in 16 of its last 19 games.
WATCH | Dube leads way as Flames win in St. Louis:
Duehr took a pass from Nazem Kadri late in the second period and wristed a shot past goalie Thomas Greiss, who had stopped 61 successive shots over his last three games. Nazem Kadri set up the goal with a pinpoint pass on a 2-on-1 breakout.
Calgary coach Darryl Sutter got a thrill out of seeing, Duehr get his first goal.
"Good for the young man," Sutter said. "It's awesome. Everybody always remembers their first."
Maybe not Duehr.
"I think I blacked out,' Duehr said. "It was a pretty cool feeling. Something you dream about."
Grab that puck!! <a href="https://t.co/VAEhS1MTTQ">pic.twitter.com/VAEhS1MTTQ</a>
—@NHLFlamesDuehr was called up over the weekend and made the second start of his career on Tuesday. He played in one game for the Flames in 2021.
"It was special to see the grin on his face," Dube said. "I train with him and I know him pretty well. I'm happy for him. It's a special night for sure. You enjoy it when someone does that. It was awesome, especially a big goal like that."
Duehr's goal seemed to ignite his teammates. Calgary scored three third-period goals in a span of 5:49.
Vladar, who wears No. 80, improved to 7-4-4 this season.
Dube picked up a loose puck in the slot and broke a one-all tie with his eighth goal of the season. He scored into an empty net with 3:21 left.
"We played a full 60 [minutes,]" Dube said.
Kadri was booed throughout the game. Last year, as a member of the Colorado Avalanche, he collided with St. Louis goalie Jordan Binnington in Game 3 of a second-round playoff series and ended Binnington's season.
The Blues are without Vladimir Tarasenko (hand) and Ryan O'Reilly (foot) for four to six weeks.
Greiss made 36 saves and kept his team in the game over the first three periods.
"He was phenomenal tonight," Neighbours said. "It's a little frustrating."
The Flames continue a five-game trip in Dallas on Saturday.
