- New Jersey Devils continue their seven-game homestand against the Calgary Flames.
- Goaltender Jacob Markstrom is expected to start for the Devils.
- Jesper Bratt and Arseny Gritsyuk are reunited in the lineup.
- The Devils have won four consecutive games, but their streak was snapped by Detroit.
Devils vs. Flames: Game Preview
New Jersey’s home stretch continues with a matchup against the Calgary Flames. Puck drop is set for Thursday at 7:12 p.m. ET, and head coach Sheldon Keefe has some intriguing lineup decisions to make.
Lineup Adjustments
Coach Keefe confirmed that goaltender Jacob Markstrom will start in net, despite giving him the option to skip morning skate due to a preference for resting on game days. The team’s forward lines are also undergoing minor changes: Jesper Bratt is back with Jack Hughes, while Arseny Gritsyuk joins Cody Glass and Lenni Hameenaho.
“It’s a little bit of an adjustment but we played with Gritsyuk for a while, so we know what he is,” Glass said. “It’s a little bit different but at the end of the day communication is key.” Glass highlighted Hameenaho’s growth and praised his defensive abilities.
Devils’ Recent Performance
The Devils have managed to get more practice time in recent days, which Keefe believes will be beneficial. The team’s four-game winning streak was ended by a 3-0 loss to Detroit, but the playoff hopes are already dimmed for both teams.
Flames’ Situation
The Flames are also destined to miss the playoffs and have made significant trades, selling off key players like Nazem Kadri, MacKenzie Weegar, and Rasmus Andersson. They face a tough five-game road swing starting with New Jersey.
Who’s Hot?
Jacob Markstrom has started five straight games, including two back-to-back nights. He’s gone 4-1-0 with a 2.20 goals against average and a .919 save percentage. In his last game against Calgary earlier this season, he stopped 21 of 22 shots.
Joel Farabee has been on fire for the Flames, scoring two goals and adding four points in his past three games, including a two-goal effort against Carolina.
Injuries
New Jersey faces some injuries: Pavel Pesce (lower-body), Tyler Noesen (knee), and MacEwen (upper body). Calgary is missing Whitecloud due to an undisclosed injury and Johnny Huberdeau with a hip issue.
