NEWARK, N.J. — The Calgary Flames continued their winning ways, defeating the New Jersey Devils 5-3 at the Prudential Center on Thursday, with goalie Jacob Markstrom’s 37 saves playing a crucial role in their victory. The Flames’ win put a damper on Jack Hughes’ return for the Devils, marking his first game since January 5 after missing 11 games due to an upper-body injury.
Calgary’s head coach, Ryan Huska, lauded Markstrom’s performance, noting it as one of his best since joining the Flames. Hughes, despite his return, couldn’t make the impact the Devils hoped for, recording four shots on goal but finishing minus-3 in over 20 minutes of play. New Jersey’s coach Lindy Ruff acknowledged that Hughes’ lack of practice time might have affected his game.
Connor Zary and Andrew Mangiapane each had a goal and an assist, with Andrei Kuzmenko also finding the net in his second consecutive game. Noah Hanifin added two assists for Calgary (24-22-5), who secured their third straight win. Zary’s second-period goal, which gave the Flames a 2-1 lead, was particularly noteworthy for its opportunism.
For the Devils (25-21-3), Ondrej Palat scored twice, and Nico Hischier added a goal and an assist, but their efforts weren’t enough to overcome Calgary’s momentum. Jesper Bratt also contributed with three assists. Despite taking an early lead and a second-period advantage, the Devils couldn’t sustain their performance, adding to their recent struggles with four losses in their past six games.
The Flames’ win was bolstered by their third-period surge, where they extended their lead with goals from Kevin Rooney and Kuzmenko. Calgary’s aggressive play and ability to capitalize on opportunities were key factors in their success. Mangiapane’s late empty-net goal sealed the 5-3 victory for the Flames.
In a notable moment, Calgary forward Jonathan Huberdeau played his 800th NHL game, reaching a significant career milestone. The game also featured a tribute to Yegor Sharangovich, who returned to Prudential Center with the Flames after spending the first three seasons of his NHL career with the Devils.
As the Flames continue their four-game road trip, they carry with them the confidence and cohesion demonstrated in recent games. For the Devils, the challenge remains to find consistency and capitalize on their talent, as they navigate a crucial phase of the season.
