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Calgary Flames @ NJ Devils, 5 PM MT, Prudential Center, Newark NJ
TV: SN1
Radio: Sportsnet 960
Calgary Flames 40-16-7 (87 pts) - NJ Devils 25-30-8 (58 pts)
The Flames will make their final East Coast stop of 2018-19, short of an appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals, with a visit to NJ to take on the Devils Wednesday night. Calgary has won six straight and now have a five point lead in both the Pacific Division and Western Conference over the San Jose Sharks. The Flames resurgence has come on the back of great goaltending. Mike Smith has taken his mid season struggles and put them behind him, having won five of the six games during the current winning streak. He’s also gotten the Flames at least a point in the last six games he’s started as well. Not to be lost in this is David Rittich’s solid start against Ottawa Sunday night either. Calgary appears to have both of their goalies playing well at just the right time and things are looking good overall.
Not looking good are the NJ Devils. Jersey sits in last place in the Metropolitan Division and 14th overall in the East. Just for the sake of saying it, the Devils are in 8th place when it comes to the WC in the East, a herculean 16 points behind the Penguins who hold the final spot. In essence, NJ’s season is done. The Devils are 18th in the league in goals scored, which isn’t terrible, but their goaltending is. New Jersey’s 211 goals allowed is 4th worst in the league and their PP barely cracks the top 20.
The Flames have owned the Devils over the years, compiling a 66-26-11 record against NJ. Calgary is one of the NHL’s best teams on the road and they’ve been solid at the Pru lately. The Flames have won four out of their last five meetings against the Devils at their home rink.
Starting Goalies (E=Expected, C=Confirmed)
Flames: Rittich (E): 21-5-5, 2.61 GAA, .912 Save%
Devils: Schneider (E): 4-8-2, 3.26 GAA, .898 Save%
Team Leaders
Flames: Goals- Gaudreau (30), Points- Gaudreau (80), PIM- Bennett (81), Save%- Rittich (.912)
Devils: Goals- Palmieri (26), Points- Palmieri (48), PIM- Wood (72), Save%- Blackwood (.926)
What’s Happening With The Opposition?
NJ Devils Coverage: All About The Jersey
#NJDevils Prospect Update: 2/26/19 https://t.co/cwUiu7gw4d pic.twitter.com/pceldELsIA
— All About the Jersey (@AATJerseyBlog) February 26, 2019
Last Time Out
Calgary Flames 3 - NY Islanders 1
NJ Devils 2 - Montreal Canadiens 1
Players To Watch
Calgary Flames
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Mikael Backlund (C): 17G - 21A, 8 points in last 6 games
NJ Devils
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Travis Zajac (C): 14G - 22A, 4 points in last 5 games