Post-Game: Flames ease past Devils

The Calgary Flames out-played, out-shot and out-chanced the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night. The Devils tried to make a game of it, but the Flames hustled their way to a 2-1 victory in Newark to finish off their road trip.

The Flames deluged the Devils in the opening 20 minutes. They didn’t score, but only because of some strong goaltending by Mackenzie Blackwood. Shots were 15-5 Flames and chances were 9-4 Flames.

The visitors opened the scoring early in the second period on a power play carried over from the end of the first period. The Flames failed to score on a five-on-three, but Elias Lindholm’s attempted pass to Sean Monahan careened off a defender and beat Blackwood to give the Flames a 1-0 lead.

The Flames doubled their lead off a heck of an individual effort from their 35-year-old captain. Mark Giordano accepted a pass from Johnny Gaudreau and faked-out Blackwood, then tucked it behind him to make it 2-0 Calgary.

But the Devils got one back late on a Flames power play. Gaudreau was a bit too casual in his own end and got muscled off the puck by Kevin Rooney. Rooney’s shot eluded David Rittich to cut the Flames’ lead to 2-1. Shots were 15-5 Flames and chances 6-2 Flames.

The Flames were in cruise control in the third period. They didn’t over-exert themselves. They didn’t give up too many good chances. In the final period of a three games in four night stretch, they seemed content just to run out the clock. Shots were 10-5 Devils and chances 4-2 Devils.

What’s that old saying? “They are who we thought they were.” Missing a ton of regulars and starting their backup, the Devils were back on their heels for much of this game. The Flames? Well, they were all over the Devils and while they probably weren’t as dominant as many had hoped they would be, they were thoroughly the better team.

Rasmus Andersson didn’t get on the scoresheet, but he played a ton (alongside new Flames defender Oscar Fantenberg) and led the team in shots.

Giordano’s swanky goal gave the Flames a cushion. The Devils got one back at the end of the period, but couldn’t claw all the way back.

The Flames are 23-1-0 when leading after two periods.

Devils defenseman Mirco Mueller crashed into the boards early in the third period after losing an edge in the Flames zone. He stayed down and was stretchered off. We’re not going to seek out a replay, but he was moving his arms and legs and gave the crowd a thumbs-up as he was stretchered off the ice. Best wishes to him for a quick recovery.

The Flames (41-16-7) fly home tonight. Next up? Jarome Iginla Night on Saturday when they host the Minnesota Wild.