Flames Edge Devils in High-Scoring Thriller

In a thrilling matchup at the Prudential Center, the Calgary Flames narrowly defeated the New Jersey Devils with a final score of 5-4. This game was particularly noteworthy as it marked the third meeting of the season between the two teams, with the series now tied at 1-1. The Flames came into the game with a record of 26-32-7, while the Devils held a record of 32-31-2.

Both teams have had their struggles recently, but the Devils had a slight edge in their last ten games, posting a record of 4-6. However, they entered this game on a one-game losing streak, having lost to the Detroit Red Wings 0-3 in their previous outing. The Devils averaged 2.2 goals scored per game and allowed 2.7 during this stretch. Their home record in the last ten games was 3-4, with an average of 3.6 goals scored and 2.2 goals allowed in their last five games.

On the other hand, the Flames have been in worse form, with a record of 3-7 in their last ten games and currently on a two-game losing streak. They lost their last game against the New York Rangers 0-4, and during their last ten games, they averaged 2.2 goals scored and 3.8 goals allowed. Their away record was particularly poor, standing at 1-4 in their last five games.

In terms of previous meetings, the Devils had won one of the two earlier encounters this season. The most recent matchup prior to this game took place on January 20, 2026, where the Devils won 2-1. In contrast, the Flames had won the previous meeting on March 20, 2025, with a score of 5-3.

Injuries played a significant role in the game, particularly for the Devils. Arseny Gritsyuk, Jonas Siegenthaler, Luke Hughes, and Stefan Noesen were all out due to various injuries, while Evan Rodrigues was on injured reserve. The Flames also faced injury challenges, with Kevin Bahl, Connor Zary, Yan Kuznetsov, Joel Hanley, and Samuel Honzek unavailable for this matchup.

The betting odds from DraftKings indicated that the Devils were favored at -192, with a spread of -1.5 and a total set at 5.5. The over was priced at -118, while the under was at -102. The Flames were listed at +160 on the money line.

The game conditions were typical for hockey, with both teams looking to capitalize on any scoring opportunities. The scoring plays began with Kevin Bahl opening the scoring for the Flames with a slap shot in the first period, assisted by Olli Maatta and Adam Klapka. The Devils responded with a goal from Maksim Tsyplakov, but the Flames maintained their lead with John Beecher scoring to make it 3-1.

The Devils fought back with Simon Nemec and Jack Hughes finding the net, but it was not enough to overcome the Flames' lead. Calgary's Mikael Backlund scored to extend the lead to 5-2 before the Devils' Luke Hughes scored late in the third period, bringing the final score to 5-4.

Fans watching this game should have noted the offensive capabilities of both teams, particularly the Flames' ability to capitalize on their chances and the Devils' resilience in trying to mount a comeback. The game showcased the competitive nature of both teams, setting the stage for an exciting remainder of the season.