The Calgary Flames left town riding a two-game winning streak, but the road was not very kind to them. In four tries, all they could manage was a single win — an overtime decision in Washington. This week, they’re back at the Saddledome to face the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday and, sigh, the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday, before heading back out on the highway to take on, double sigh, the Anaheim Ducks. Here are five things to watch against New Jersey, writes Scott Cruickshank.
1. GAUDREAU HITS CENTURY MARK
A week before LW Johnny Gaudreau made his NHL debut, a credible source offered advice. And consider the speaker — a five-foot-seven graduate of Boston College. “Just keep playing the way he’s playing,” New Jersey C Stephen Gionta said in April 2014, “because it’s working for him. He’s done it on the international stage, he’s done it at college. There’s no reason he can’t do it as a pro. He’s a highly skilled player with a knack for scoring.” Gionta, of course, had not been wrong. And 100 games (and 82 points) into his NHL career, Gaudreau’s play continues to impress — although, on the four-game road trip, he was held point-less … The 21-year-old is third in the league for primary assists, with 11 (of his 13 helpers).
2. THE DEVILS YOU KNOW
Saturday in a 4-0 win over visiting Pittsburgh, New Jersey LW Michael Cammalleri, RW Lee Stempniak, D David Schlemko scored — all three are former members of the Flames … Cammalleri — who, via free agency, departed Calgary in July 2014 — skated for the Flames twice (2008-09, 2011-14) and piled up 178 points in 216 games. He is currently the top point-getter, with 17, for the surprising Devils … Stempniak — who was shipped to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a third-round pick (subsequently swapped for LW Brandon Bollig) in March 2014 — played 160 games (2011-14) in Calgary, totalling 83 points … Schlemko — who, via free agency, departed Calgary in July 2015 — is best known for that amazing shootout move March 5, 2015.
3. ABOUT THE DEVILS
Saturday, the Devils won for the 10th time in 13 outings. Suddenly, the hockey world is taking notice … New Jersey, defensively, is sixth. Fourth fewest shots allowed … Special teams — power play: eighth, penalty killing: 10th … The Devils are 5-0-0 when scoring first … Three players are plus-eight — C Travis Zajac, C Adam Henrique, RW Lee Stempniak … D Andy Greene handles 23:49 ice time per night … G Cory Schneider (9-4-1, 1.98 GAA, .928) … LW Patrik Elias, who hurt his knee during training camp, practised for the first time Saturday. “Some guys were asking, ‘Who’s this old guy coming out with us?’ ” said Elias, 39 … New Jersey’s three-game trip continues Friday at Edmonton.
4. WHEN LAST THEY MET
Feb. 25, 2015 — The travelling Flames win, but lose, on this night at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. … The good? D Mark Giordano sets up the winning goal — a power-play helper in the third — and establishes a personal best of 48 points. The bad? As everyone knows now, in the dying minutes, RW Steve Bernier wedges his stick into the arms of Giordano, who is trying to hammer the puck out of the Flames’ zone. The captain’s biceps is torn in the 3-1 triumph … The Flames bagged two wins in the season series, prevailing in the home date, Nov. 22, 2014, 5-4 in a shootout … All-time, Atlanta/Calgary is 62-22-13 against Kansas City/Colorado/New Jersey, including five straight wins for the Flames … At Calgary, the Flames hold a 20-6-7 record.
5. ODDS ’N’ ENDS
The Flames, 3-5-0 at home, have won two straight games at the Saddledome … According to Sportsclubstats.com, the Flames’ chance of making the playoffs is 3.5 per cent, the lowest mark of any club … Offensively, Calgary is 23rd. Defensively, 30th … Special teams — power play: 21st, penalty killing: 26th … The Flames’ winning percentage when they score first (.455) is 28th. When they trail first, it’s .125 for 27th … With 326 blocked shots, they lead the NHL … Calgary has taken 58 minor penalties, seventh fewest. Most? Winnipeg, with 86. Fewest? Carolina, with 39 … AHL Stockton, 3-5-2, picked up three of a possible four points on the road this past weekend – Friday’s 5-4 shootout loss to the San Antonio Rampage; Saturday’s 5-3 win over the Texas Stars. Newcomer G Kevin Poulin worked both games, stopping 61 of 68 pucks.
GAME DAY
New Jersey Devils (10-6-1) at Calgary Flames (6-12-1)
7 p.m., Scotiabank Saddledome
Flames player to watch
David Jones — Veteran right-winger, 31, recently celebrated his 400th game in the NHL. Now, with 99 goals, he’s marching towards another milestone. His six tallies tie him with C Sean Monahan for the team high.
Lines
* J.Gaudreau-S.Monahan-J.Hudler
* S.Bennett-M.Backlund-M.Frolik
* J.Colborne-M.Stajan-D.Jones
* M.Ferland-J.Jooris-B.Bollig
Pairings
* M.Giordano-T.J.Brodie
* K.Russell-D.Hamilton
* D.Engelland-D.Wideman
Goalies
* K.Ramo
* J.Ortio
Injuries
* G Jonas Hiller (lower body), LW Lance Bouma (leg)
Devils player to watch
Michael Cammalleri — Veteran left-winger, 33, continues to produce. A team-leading point-per-game pace in his second season with New Jersey. In 119 appearances on Saddledome ice, Cammalleri piled up 110 points, including 57 goals.
Lines
* M.Cammalleri-A.Henrique-L.Stempniak
* S.Kalinin-T.Zajac-K.Palmieri
* J.Tlusty-H.Josefson-J.Tootoo
* B.Farnham-S.Gionta-B.O’Neill
Pairings
* A.Greene-A.Larsson
* J.Moore-D.Severson
* J.Merrill-D.Schlemko
Goalies
* C.Schneider
* K.Kinkaid
Injuries
* LW Ryane Clowe (concussion), LW Patrik Elias (knee)