The Calgary Flames face the New Jersey Devils in a rematch from this week to wrap up the season series between the two teams. The Flames have a 5-5-1 record while the Devils have a 9-3 record and with a six-game winning streak, boast the best record in the Metropolitan Division. The previous meeting was a 4-3 overtime win by the Devils and with both teams looking to continue strong starts to the season, the upcoming game looks to be a pivotal one for both teams.
The Flames have looked promising to start the season behind an offense that is scoring 3.20 goals per game. Nazem Kadri and Tyler Toffoli have scored 10 goals and 10 assists to lead the top line but the rest of the offense has also stepped up. Elias Lindholm, Brett Ritchie, and Jonathan Huberdeau have combined for eight goals and 10 assists while defensemen Rasmus Andersson and MacKenzie Weegar have added a goal and 11 assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has stepped up but the defense has let the Flames down, allowing 3.30 goals per game. MacKenzie Weegar and Nikita Zadorov have combined for 1.6 defensive point shares and 62 blocked shots but the rest of the unit has struggled and is allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. In addition, goaltender Dan Vladar has struggled in the net with a .865 save percentage and a 3.81 goals-against average on 74 shots.