The New Jersey Devils (10-3-0) beat the Calgary Flames (5-5-2) 3-2 on Tuesday night to remain in first place in the Metropolitan Division. The Devils extended their win streak to seven with the victory, making it the team’s longest win streak since an eight game stretch in 2011. The win also secured a season sweep of Calgary after New Jersey picked up an overtime win in Alberta on Saturday night.
Game Summary
First Period
In their first game back from their Western Canadian swing, the Devils struggled to find their legs. The first period was New Jersey’s worst of the young season. The Devils surrendered the first nine shots of the period, not recording a shot of their own until over 11 minutes had past.
Right after New Jersey’s first shot, Erik Haula went to the box for hooking. On the ensuing power play, Nazem Kadri fired a wrister past Vanecek from the dot to open the scoring.
The Devils tried to respond, but Jack Hughes couldn’t bury a two-on-none chance from Jesper Bratt. Then, Yegor Sharangovich had a deflection goal (rightfully) ruled out for offsides on Jesper Boqvist.
After one, it was 1-0 Flames, and the lead was more than deserved. At five-on-five, Calgary had a 68.18 Corsi-for percentage (CF%) and a 73.07 expected goals-for percentage (xGF%). Shots were 14-5 Flames.
Second Period
The second period was much better for the Devils behind a reshuffling of the forward lines from Lindy Ruff. Right out of the gate, New Jersey thought they had once again tied the game through Sharangovich. However, it was again ruled out, this time for a (very) distinct kicking motion.
However, the Devils didn’t wait long to respond. Moments later, Nico Hischier picked up a trailing Ryan Graves who picked out the top corner to tie the game just five minutes into the period.
Later on in the frame, the Flames had a great chance when a rebound fell to Elias Lindholm. However, Vitek Vanecek kicked out his left pad to make a tremendous stop on the doorstep, keeping the game tied.
Shortly after, the Devils found themselves with a five-on-three advantage. With Nico Hischier parked in front of the net, Dougie Hamilton ripped a shot bar-down past a screened Jacob Markstrom, giving the Devils’ their first lead with just over three minutes to go in the middle period.
New Jersey held that lead after two, though, overall still struggled at five-on-five. As their 48.28 CF% and a 41.6 xGF% at five-on-five figures in the second frame indicate.
Third Period
Early in the third period, Miles Wood took a holding penalty in the offensive zone and the Flames capitalized. Tyler Toffoli buried a wicked-wrister from the top of the circle to tie the game at two with 16 minutes remaining.
However, with just over eight minutes to go, Dougie Hamilton found a loose puck in the neutral zone and sprung Nico Hischier. The Devils’ captain promptly beat Markstrom five-hole to give New Jersey a 3-2 lead.
From there, Calgary pushed for an equalizer, but couldn’t find it. In the third, Calgary had the better of the opportunities, recording a 60.71% xGF% at five-on-five. Though, it was New Jersey that emerged victorious.
Wrap Up
It was a very tough night for New Jersey skaters, but several Devils had big nights. Nico Hischier had the game-winning goal to go with an assist. Dougie Hamilton also had a goal and assist against one of his former teams. Tomas Tatar also had two assists in the win.
However, the Devils’ best player tonight was Vitek Vanecek. The netminder saved 33 of 35 shots to improve to 6-1-0 on the season. Vanecek also posted 1.31 goals saved above expected in the win. Meanwhile, Jacob Markstrom got the loss for Calgary, allowing 1.07 goals above expected. Markstrom made 17 saves on 20 shots in the loss.
For the game, the Flames had a 54.88 CF% and a 62.69 xGF%. This was a rare moment this season where the Devils clearly were not the better team but rode goaltending and finishing to victory.
Game Notes
Dougie Hamilton
Dougie Hamilton was fantastic in the Devils’ win. The former Calgary Flame led the Devils with a 74.88 xGF at five-on-five. His relative xGF% was a monstrous 55.22, meaning New Jersey created 55.22% more of the expected goal share when Hamilton was on the ice compared to off it.
Hamilton also turned that on-ice dominance into points on the scoresheet. His two point night brings his season total to 10 points in 13 games.
That ranks fourth among all Devils skaters. The 29-year-old now has points in back-to-back games after a three game points drought.
Nico Hischier
The New Jersey captain is continuing to play some absolutely superb hockey. Hischier had a mediocre-at-best night with his underlying metrics, but played a crucial role in the victory.
Despite a 45.00% CF% and a 37.31 xGF% at five-on-five, Hischier was in the middle of all three New Jersey goals. He picked up a primary assist on Graves’ opener and scored the game winner.
On Hamilton’s five-on-three goal, Hischier’s screen impacted Makstrom’s angle and gave Hamilton room to bury a wrist shot.
The 2017 first-overall pick is now up to 14 points in 12 games and is positively impacting the game in all facets.
Winning Without Dominating Play
It was a tough night for many Devils skaters, but a handful of Devils had some very poor possession metrics. In a game New Jersey struggled as a team, Ryan Graves and John Marino were asked to eat some very tough minutes at five-on-five, and their metrics reflected that. Graves had an xGF% of just 9.00 while Marino was barely better at 9.58. Both woeful numbers and easily the pairings worse game of the season.
Luckily for New Jersey, the duo managed to come out on top during their even strength minutes thanks to Graves jumping up in the play and burying a goal. Being able to win those tough minutes is a very encouraging sign for this young team.
Another Devil who struggled was Miles Wood. Wood had a respectable 55.56 CF% at five-on-five, but his abysmal 16.44 xGF% was only better than Marino and Graves. On top of that, the 27-year-old winger’s brutal offensive zone penalty allowed the Flames to tie the game on the power play. Wood has had a great start to the season, but Tuesday night was not a game to write home about.
What’s Next
The Devils continue their three-game homestand against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. ET.
Note: All statistics via Natural Stat Trick.