CALGARY, Alberta -- The Calgary Flames regained the lead in the NHL standings by resisting the temptation of relaxing against one of the league's worst teams.
Mike Bullard scored his 46th goal of the season and added an assist in the first period Thursday night, helping the Flames extend their unbeaten streak to eight games with a 7-1 rout of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Calgary moved into first place in the overall standings, one point ahead of idle Montreal. Toronto remained tied with Minnesota for the final playoff spot in the Norris Division -- and the worst record in the league.
'You always have to guard against not being ready for a team like Toronto when you are in a position we are in,' Calgary defenseman Gary Suter said. 'When you play a teamthat is struggling, you need to get on them quick.'
Rookie Joe Nieuwendyk agreed.
'It is difficult to stay on your toes against Toronto, but we have a lot at stake,' said Nieuwendyk, who orginally was credited with his 52nd goal but after the game, had the first-period score credited to Bullard.
Toronto has dropped nine straight games on the road.
'I have absolutely nothing to say about our team,' Leafs Coach John Brophy said. 'Calgary should win the Stanley Cup as they can turn it on when they need too and off when they want.
Bullard scored on a power play at 2:36 and fed Hakan Loob on a power play for Loob's 48th goal to make it 2-0 at 14:12. Gary Roberts' goal with nine seconds left in the session gave the Flames a 3-0 lead.
Suter put Calgary up 4-0 at 6:05 of the second period, but Al Secord answered with Toronto's lone goal 23 seconds later. Colin Patterson and Craig Coxe added goals midway through the period for a 6-1 advantage entering the final 20 minutes. Joe Mullen's 38th goal capped the scoring at 8:35.
