NHL

Gaudreau scores in return, Flames rout Ducks 8-3

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Calgary Flames' Johnny Gaudreau, bottom left, celebrates his goal against the Anaheim Ducks at the bench during the first period of an NHL game in Calgary, Alberta, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016. (Larry MacDougal/The Canadian Press via AP) (The Associated Press)

Calgary Flames' Sean Monahan, right, celebrates with Johnny Gaudreau after a goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period of an NHL game in Calgary, Alberta, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016. (Larry MacDougal/The Canadian Press via AP) (The Associated Press)

Calgary Flames' Matt Stajan, right, celebrates his goal with Matthew Tkachuk against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period of an NHL game in Calgary, Alberta, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016. (Larry MacDougal/The Canadian Press via AP) (The Associated Press)

Johnny Gaudreau had a goal and an assist in his return from a broken finger, and the Calgary Flames scored five times in a 6:04 span of the second period to rout the Anaheim Ducks 8-3 on Sunday night.

It was a surprise when it was revealed in the morning that Gaudreau would be back in the lineup less than three weeks after surgery that was expected to keep him out four to six weeks.

On the first shot of his first shift, he took a drop pass from Sam Bennett and whipped a shot past Jonathan Bernier at 2:09 to make it 1-0.

Sixth in the NHL in scoring last season, Gaudreau started off slowly this season with two goals in 14 games. But he was just beginning to heat up with three goals in three games when a slash from Eric Staal against Minnesota on Nov. 15 sidelined him for 10 games.