If the Calgary Flames have any hope of qualifying for this year's NHL playoffs it will likely be decided in their current three-game series against the Montreal Canadiens.  

Going into the set, last night, tonight and Monday night in Calgary, the Flames were eight points back of the Habs for the final playoff position in the North Division and had 11 regular-season games left compared to Montreal's 12.  

Sean Monahan was apparently well aware of the Flames predicament and last night (April 23) he tried to do something about it.  Monahan had a goal and a pair of assists to lead the Flames to a 4 - 2 victory over the Canadiens to climb two points closer to that elusive playoff spot.

Cochrane's Dillon Dube, got the Flames on the board and staked them to a 1 - 0 lead when he scored his eighth of the season.  The Canadiens came back with two of their own from Tyler Toffoli and Joel Armia before Andrew Mangiapane scored on the power play with under a minute left in the first period to tie it back up.

After a scoreless second period, Monahan got what turned out the be the winner six minutes into the third before Elias Lindholm added an empty net goal to secure it for Calgary.

The Flames held Montreal to just 20 shots on Jacob Markstrom while taking 30 at Jake Allen.  

Calgary will look to narrow Montreal's playoff lead to just four points when the two teams go back at it tonight at the Saddledome.