Preview: Calgary Flames @ NJ Devils 2/26/19 (64/82): Flames Look To Extend Season High Win Streak To 7

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)

NHL Standings

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

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 3 – NY Islanders 1

NJ Devils 2 – Montreal Canadiens 1

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Mikael Backlund (C): 17G – 21A, 8 points in last 6 games

NJ Devils

Travis Zajac (C): 14G – 22A, 4 points in last 5 games

by Mark Parkinson