Flames' Lindholm praises Markstrom: 'He deserves the contract'

Elias Lindholm believes new Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom is worthy of the team's splashy offseason investment.

"For now, he deserves the contract," Lindholm said with a smile about his fellow Swede, according to Postmedia's Wes Gilbertson.

Markstrom signed a six-year, $36-million contract with the Flames as a free agent this offseason after seven campaigns in Vancouver. After shutting out the Canucks on Saturday, Markstrom picked up a second straight win against his former team on Monday, stopping 25 of 27 shots in the 5-2 victory.

Lindholm was especially impressed with Markstrom's performance early in Monday's contest.

"Obviously, the way the first period went he stole us a point or two there," Lindholm said, according to Sportsnet's Eric Francis. "We could have been out of the game there."

Vancouver outshot Calgary 16-4 in the first period and won the high-danger scoring chance battle 6-1, according to Natural Stat Trick. Markstrom held down the fort, allowing just one goal in the opening frame, and the Flames scored three second-period goals to secure the victory.

Markstrom now owns a sparkling .935 save percentage in three games with his new club.