PREVIEW

Coming off of a nice win against the Montreal Canadiens, things don’t get any easier. The New Jersey Devils will now have to try and contain the Calgary Flames’ firepower, which has not been an easy task for any team so far this season. Add to the mix the current state of the roster and this lines up to be one of the team’s biggest challenges remaining.

Who to Watch

Ken Agostino…After logging over 17 minutes of ice time against Montreal, Agostino will be in an even larger role with the number of injuries to the roster. Look for Agostino to be a strong net-front presence, but he has to make sure not to try and do too much. If he just plays his game, you can expect to see him on the scoresheet.

Elias Lindholm…While his linemates Gaudreau and Monahan may get most of the spotlight, don’t sleep on Lindholm. He enters this one with five points in his last five games and 71 points on the season. Playing alongside top talents like Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan allows Lindholm to have some extra time and space, which clearly he has been able to take advantage of. If the Devils lose track of him in the offensive zone, it could spell trouble in a hurry.

Projected Lines

Calgary Flames

Gaudreau – Monahan – Lindholm
Tkachuk – Backlund – Bennett
Frolik – Jankowski – Czarnik
Mangiapane – Ryan – Hathaway

Giordano – Andersson
Hanifin – Hamonic
Brodie – Prout

Rittich

New Jersey Devils

Coleman – Hischier – Lappin
Agostino – Zajac – Stafford
Pietila – McLeod – Bastian
Yakovlev – Rooney – Gabriel

Greene – Severson
Mueller – Vatanen
Butcher – Carrick

Blackwood

Where to Watch

7:00 pm Prudential Center

MSG+ , SN1

Prediction

Even though the Devils tend to play better on home ice, the Flames will just be too much to handle, and the current roster also doesn’t help this matchup much. It’s going to take an amazing game from whoever is between the pipes, but missed defensive assignments will prove to be too costly. Flames win 5-2.