Calgary Flames @ NJ Devils 2/8/18 (54/82): Calgary Goes For 3 In A Row

Calgary Flames @ NJ Devils, 5 PM MT, Prudential Center, Newark NJ

It’s game 2 of the Flames 6 game road trip and they find themselves in scenic Newark NJ as they take on the NJ Devils. The Flames have won 2 in a row after snapping a frustrating 6 game losing streak.

Goals are still at a premium for the Flames and the Flames PP has fallen completely off the map. The Flames have scored 7 goals in their last 2 games, but the man up offence is non-existent. Dave Cameron and the Flames PP unit are 1-19 over their last 6 and the drought doesn’t appear to be ending anytime soon. No matter much or how little pressure the Flames put on their opponents, the power play just sees to fizzle out long before the advantage is over. When you have an extended 5 v 3 and get nothing out of it, that’s as bad as it gets. NJ’s PK is middle of the pack, so don’t expect Calgary to go off with the man advantage.

NJ won’t be giving the Flames any freebies tonight either. While they gave up 5 against Ottawa, the Devils have been very tough to score on lately. During their recently snapped 3 game winning streak NJ surrendered only 5 goals on 69 shots. Like the Flames however, the Devils have issues with putting the puck in the net. NJ has scored 3 goals or more only once in their last 8 and they’ve been shut out twice in that span.

The Flames and Devils have played once this season with Calgary winning 5-4 in a shootout back on November 5th. Calgary has dominated NJ over the years and they’ve won 3 of the last 4 times they’ve visited the Garden State. Both teams are trying to stay alive or stay in playoff position, so this should be an entertaining game. It might not be a goal scorer’s special, but it shouldn’t be a dud either.

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

NJ Devils Coverage: All About The Jersey

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 3 Chicago Blackhawks 2

The Flames exploded for 2 goals late in the 3rd period and started their road trip with a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. The win gave Calgary a season sweep over Chicago and got them back in the WC conversation. Here’s our recap and highlights from NHL.com

NJ Devils 3 Ottawa Senators 5

NJ saw their 3 game winning streak come to a screeching halt with a 5-3 loss to the Ottawa Senators. The Devils had no answer for Matt Duchene as he chipped in with 3 points helping the Senators to the win. All About The Jersey has the recap and NHL.com provides the highlights.

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Johnny Gaudreau (F). Who really scored? Johnny Gaudreau or Michael Stone? It looked like Gaudreau tipped home a Stone rocket to give the Flames a 2-1 lead over Chicago, but Stone still has credit for the Flames 2nd goal of the contest. Either way, Gaudreau is still tearing it up. The star forward had 2 points against Chicago, giving him 6 in his last 5 and points in 15 of his last 17 games. He had 2 assists in the Flames 5-4 SO win over NJ in November and he’s got 30 points in Calgary’s 24 road games this season.

NJ Devils

Kyle Palmieri (F). The NY product has had a good run as of late. Palmieri has 6 points in his last 5 games with 3 of those being goals. The Devils winger has been a steady hand this season with 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) and February has looked good on the 7 year NHL vet. He has 4 points in 3 games so far this month.

by Mark Parkinson