Breaking the Glass Cannon: Flames-Devils Preview, Notes, How to Watch

The Calgary Flames will look to build off a three-goal third period comeback over the Carolina Hurricanes today in a matinee game against a red-hot Devils team that has won five of their last six.  

Eight Flames players combined on the scoreboard for their final period surge on Thursday. This style of scoring by committee may be necessary once again due to the fact that a flu appears to be circulating around the group. Walker Duehr and AJ Greer missed Friday’s practice with the illness. It’s possible other players on the roster are pushing through it as well. 

In terms of a possible replacement for either Duehr or Greer, Matthew Coronato may be the first called up from the Calgary Wranglers. The 21-year-old sniper sat out Friday’s 6-2 win over the Manitoba Moose in what may be preemptive lineup adjustment to have Coronato ready for today. Defenceman Jordan Oesterle practiced as a left winger on Friday.  

In terms of the opposition, the Devils are a strange customer. The best analogy would be a glass cannon: a top ranked power play (35%) across the NHL, a 4th ranked offence (3.63 goals per game), but also a second last ranked defence (3.67 goals against per game) and a lower end goaltending group. Expected starter Vitek Vanacek sports a .877 save percentage and a 3.60 goals against average.  

Calgary Flames (11-12-3, 25 pts) vs New Jersey Devils (13-10-1, 27pts)   

Time: 2 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.    

TV: Sportsnet One, Sportsnet West, ESPN

-Elias Lindholm leads the Flames in goals (7) and points (17) in 25 games played.   

-Nazem Kadri leads the Flames in assists (11). 

-Expected starter Dustin Wolf sports a 1-1-0 record, a 3.03 goals against average and a .901 save percentage.

Welcome Back

Tyler Toffoli makes his first appearance at the Scotiabank Saddledome since being traded to New Jersey for Yegor Sharangovich and a 2023 third round pick last offseason. The right winger has 12 goals, nine assists and 21 points over 24 games with the Devils.

Zone Entries 

Carolina did a fine job of shutting the Flames down for two periods on Thursday primarily due to their ability to defend their own blue line. Calgary has had a tendency to slow down to a crawl when trying to carry the puck into the offensive zone.  

Power Play Watch 

With an 0-and-3 performance against the Hurricanes, the Calgary Flames are now scoreless at 5v4 over their last two games. 

Calgary Flames Projected Lineup 

Based on Friday’s practice lines. 

Mangiapane-Lindholm-Sharangovich  

Zary-Kadri-Coronato  

Huberdeau-Backlund-Coleman  

Greer-Ruzicka-Dube  

Weegar-Andersson  

Hanifin-Tanev  

Solovyov-Gilbert  

Wolf 

Vladar

New Jersey Devils Projected Lineup 

Haula – Hughes – Toffoli  

Palat – Hischier – Bratt  

Meier – Mercer – Holtz  

Smith – McLeod – Lazar  

Siegenthaler – Nemec  

Bahl – Marino  

Hughes – Miller 

Vanecek 

Schmid