<p>It feels like forever ago that the Calgary Flames were 5-0-1, as they have lost four straight games in regulation by a combined margin of 14 goals. Life might not get any easier as they host the New Jersey Devils Friday, as New Jersey is off to a strong 7-4-2 start, including a 6-0 win over Vancouver last time out.</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>I&#8217;ll detail the relevant game notes, as well as outline my favourite betting angle below.</p>
<h2 class="mb-5 text-2xl font-bold">Devils vs. Flames odds</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong class="text-lg font-bold">Devils Moneyline Odds:</strong> +125</li>
<li><strong>Flames Moneyline Odds: </strong>-150</li>
<li><strong>Puck Line Odds: </strong>Flames +1.5 (-210), Utah Hockey Club -1.5 (+175)</li>
<li><strong>Game Total: </strong>Over 6.0 -115, Under 6.0 -105</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>New Jersey Devils</strong></p>
<p>Entering the season new Sheldon Keefe was priced as the favourite to win the Jack Adams trophy at every sportsbook in his first year with the Devils.</p>
<p>A coaches team offering significant year-over-year improvement is one of the most consistent narratives among Jack Adams winners, as is finishing right near the top of the standings. Keefe inherited a rare situation, as his side is not only likely to cruise past last seasons total of 81 points, but likely to hang around the Presidents Trophy race.</p>
<p>The Devils received the leagues third worst save % from five different starters last season, and opted to bring in Jacob Markstrom to help alleviate that concern. At age 34, it&#8217;s far from a lock that Markstrom will replicate his play last season with the Flames, but the Devils won&#8217;t be counting on him stealing many games.</p>
<p>New Jersey also suffered through one of the worst injury situations last year. Essentially every key player missed some meaningful time, and in the cases of Timo Meier and Jack Hughes offered lesser form while playing through injury.</p>
<p>The majority of the Devils most relevant skaters also enter this year on the right side of the age curve, and looked like logical candidates to take steps forward as a result.</p>
<p>Captain Nico Hischier has thrived with ten goals, and has been well complemented by Meier on the top line, who has found top form once again. That allows Keefe to keep Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt together on a stacked second line.</p>
<p>The Devils third offensive trio of Paul Cotter, Erik Haula, and Stefan Noesen has also been highly effective.</p>
<p>In the opening ten games of the year the Devils have played to a 56.89 xGF%, and generated 31.13 shots per 60. Their possessive, up-tempo style can look unstoppable when the team is fully in sync, but has lead to ugly turnovers at times the last two seasons that may lead to chances which are slightly under-quantified in public expected goals models.</p>
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<p><strong>Calgary Flames</strong></p>
<div data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2110" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="330">As the rest of the league has gotten up to speed and elevated their play, Ryan Huska&#8217;s Flames side looks to be moving backwards. Yes, this group was heavily favoured to miss the playoffs, and they surely had some favourable luck to start 5-0-1. Their defensive zone coverage has clearly regressed over the last several matchups though, and they have extended defensive zone sequences with failed clears on far too many occasions.</div>
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<div data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2110" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="330">Over the last five games the Flames have played to a 38.55% expected goal share, and allowed 38.2 shots against per 60. They have allowed 4.40 goals against where it counts during that span.</div>
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<div data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2110" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="330">The Flames have recalled Matt Coronato from the Wranglers ahead of this matchup, and sent Sam Honzek back down to the AHL.</div>
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<div data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2110" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="330">Based on rotation, this start will go to Dan Vladar, though the Flames have not confirmed a starter at this time. Vladar has played to a -0.2 GSAx and .896 save % in five appearances this season.</div>
<p><strong>Best bets for Devils vs Flames:</strong></p>
<p>There is an argument to be made that maybe this isn&#8217;t the ideal spot or price to fade the Flames, as they it&#8217;s possible the Utah game could be somewhat of a rock-bottom, and generally that means teams being undervalued in the betting market. Chances are Calgary won&#8217;t look this putrid moving forward.</p>
<p>Still, I think there is value fading the Flames in this matchup based upon how high the Devils deserve to be power-rated right now.</p>
<p>The Devils are getting elite play from a number their lengthy list of stars, but are also getting excellent play further down the lineup from players like Paul Cotter and Stefan Noesen, who have been excellent. Markstrom should help stabilize their goaltending situation in time, and if that is the case it&#8217;s pretty difficult to nit-pick flaws on the roster.</p>
<p>At -120 or better I see value backing the Devils to win this matchup in regulation.</p>
<p><strong>Best bet: Devils to Win in Regulation -115 (Sports Interaction, Play to -120)</strong></p>


Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund (11) waits for a face-off against the Utah Hockey Club during the third period at Delta Center.

It feels like forever ago that the Calgary Flames were 5-0-1, as they have lost four straight games in regulation by a combined margin of 14 goals. Life might not get any easier as they host the New Jersey Devils Friday, as New Jersey is off to a strong 7-4-2 start, including a 6-0 win over Vancouver last time out.
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&nbsp;

I'll detail the relevant game notes, as well as outline my favourite betting angle below.
<h2 class="mb-5 text-2xl font-bold">Devils vs. Flames odds</h2>
<ul>
 	<li><strong class="text-lg font-bold">Devils Moneyline Odds:</strong> +125</li>
 	<li><strong>Flames Moneyline Odds: </strong>-150</li>
 	<li><strong>Puck Line Odds: </strong>Flames +1.5 (-210), Utah Hockey Club -1.5 (+175)</li>
 	<li><strong>Game Total: </strong>Over 6.0 -115, Under 6.0 -105</li>
</ul>
<strong>New Jersey Devils</strong>

Entering the season new Sheldon Keefe was priced as the favourite to win the Jack Adams trophy at every sportsbook in his first year with the Devils.

A coaches team offering significant year-over-year improvement is one of the most consistent narratives among Jack Adams winners, as is finishing right near the top of the standings. Keefe inherited a rare situation, as his side is not only likely to cruise past last seasons total of 81 points, but likely to hang around the Presidents Trophy race.

The Devils received the leagues third worst save % from five different starters last season, and opted to bring in Jacob Markstrom to help alleviate that concern. At age 34, it's far from a lock that Markstrom will replicate his play last season with the Flames, but the Devils won't be counting on him stealing many games.

New Jersey also suffered through one of the worst injury situations last year. Essentially every key player missed some meaningful time, and in the cases of Timo Meier and Jack Hughes offered lesser form while playing through injury.

The majority of the Devils most relevant skaters also enter this year on the right side of the age curve, and looked like logical candidates to take steps forward as a result.

Captain Nico Hischier has thrived with ten goals, and has been well complemented by Meier on the top line, who has found top form once again. That allows Keefe to keep Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt together on a stacked second line.

The Devils third offensive trio of Paul Cotter, Erik Haula, and Stefan Noesen has also been highly effective.

In the opening ten games of the year the Devils have played to a 56.89 xGF%, and generated 31.13 shots per 60. Their possessive, up-tempo style can look unstoppable when the team is fully in sync, but has lead to ugly turnovers at times the last two seasons that may lead to chances which are slightly under-quantified in public expected goals models.
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<strong>Calgary Flames</strong>
<div data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2110" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="330">As the rest of the league has gotten up to speed and elevated their play, Ryan Huska's Flames side looks to be moving backwards. Yes, this group was heavily favoured to miss the playoffs, and they surely had some favourable luck to start 5-0-1. Their defensive zone coverage has clearly regressed over the last several matchups though, and they have extended defensive zone sequences with failed clears on far too many occasions.</div>
<div data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2110" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="330"></div>
<div data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2110" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="330">Over the last five games the Flames have played to a 38.55% expected goal share, and allowed 38.2 shots against per 60. They have allowed 4.40 goals against where it counts during that span.</div>
<div data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2110" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="330"></div>
<div data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2110" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="330">The Flames have recalled Matt Coronato from the Wranglers ahead of this matchup, and sent Sam Honzek back down to the AHL.</div>
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<div data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2110" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="330">Based on rotation, this start will go to Dan Vladar, though the Flames have not confirmed a starter at this time. Vladar has played to a -0.2 GSAx and .896 save % in five appearances this season.</div>
<strong>Best bets for Devils vs Flames:</strong>

There is an argument to be made that maybe this isn't the ideal spot or price to fade the Flames, as they it's possible the Utah game could be somewhat of a rock-bottom, and generally that means teams being undervalued in the betting market. Chances are Calgary won't look this putrid moving forward.

Still, I think there is value fading the Flames in this matchup based upon how high the Devils deserve to be power-rated right now.

The Devils are getting elite play from a number their lengthy list of stars, but are also getting excellent play further down the lineup from players like Paul Cotter and Stefan Noesen, who have been excellent. Markstrom should help stabilize their goaltending situation in time, and if that is the case it's pretty difficult to nit-pick flaws on the roster.

At -120 or better I see value backing the Devils to win this matchup in regulation.

<strong>Best bet: Devils to Win in Regulation -115 (Sports Interaction, Play to -120)</strong>

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