PREMIUM
Rogers' Sunday SMACKDOWN >> +$22,094 Since May 1st!
(NHL) New Jersey vs. Calgary,
Money Line: -183.00 Calgary (Home)
Result: Win
Money Line: -183.00 Calgary (Home)
Result: Win
The set-up: The surprising New Jersey Devils have opened 9-3-0, after missing the playoffs in each of the last five seasons since the team made the Stanley Cup Finals back in 2012. New Jersey looks to wrap up a road trip tonight in Calgary, after suffering its first road loss of the campaign on Friday, a 6-3 setback at Edmonton (Devils are 5-1-0 on the road). Calgary has not scored more than two goals in seven straight games but stellar play from goalie Mike Smith has helped the Flames earn three victories in that stretch. Calgary welcomes New Jersey to town at 7-6-0 overall, but just 3-4-0 at home.
New Jersey: "Our record (9-3-0), we've got to be proud of that and take confidence in that," New Jersey left wing Taylor Hall told reporters. "At the same time, we were 9-3-3 last year and finished in 27th place (overall in the NHL). We've got a lot to learn and a lot to improve on. If you look at the last two games, we were out-shot, outplayed. We've got to figure it out quickly and get healthy at the same time." Hall has risen to the top of the scoring list for New Jersey with 16 points after posting three goals and four assists in his last four contests, while Brian Gibbons has scored a team-high six goals. Cory Schneider is 6-2-0 but owns a 3.05 GAA (.916 SP). Tonight, backup Keith Kinkaid (3-1-0, 2.62 GAA &.910 SP) is expected to get the start against the Flames.
Calgary: Speaking of goaltending, Mike Smith owns a 7-5-0 record, 2.19 GAA and a .936 save percentage, having played in 12 of Calgary's first 13 games. He has won three of his last four after a brilliant performance against the Penguins on Thursday (2-1 OT win in which he saved 43 of 44 shots!). "That was one of the best goalie performances I've seen in a long time," coach Glen Gulutzan told reporters. "It gives you confidence going into any building. … When you know you have a goalie like that, and you're sitting on the bench playing, there is a sense of assurance that you've got a guy in there that's battling every night."
The pick: Calgary has won seven of the last nine meetings between the two teams and this is New Jersey's third road game in five nights. Make Calgary an 8* play.
New Jersey: "Our record (9-3-0), we've got to be proud of that and take confidence in that," New Jersey left wing Taylor Hall told reporters. "At the same time, we were 9-3-3 last year and finished in 27th place (overall in the NHL). We've got a lot to learn and a lot to improve on. If you look at the last two games, we were out-shot, outplayed. We've got to figure it out quickly and get healthy at the same time." Hall has risen to the top of the scoring list for New Jersey with 16 points after posting three goals and four assists in his last four contests, while Brian Gibbons has scored a team-high six goals. Cory Schneider is 6-2-0 but owns a 3.05 GAA (.916 SP). Tonight, backup Keith Kinkaid (3-1-0, 2.62 GAA &.910 SP) is expected to get the start against the Flames.
Calgary: Speaking of goaltending, Mike Smith owns a 7-5-0 record, 2.19 GAA and a .936 save percentage, having played in 12 of Calgary's first 13 games. He has won three of his last four after a brilliant performance against the Penguins on Thursday (2-1 OT win in which he saved 43 of 44 shots!). "That was one of the best goalie performances I've seen in a long time," coach Glen Gulutzan told reporters. "It gives you confidence going into any building. … When you know you have a goalie like that, and you're sitting on the bench playing, there is a sense of assurance that you've got a guy in there that's battling every night."
The pick: Calgary has won seven of the last nine meetings between the two teams and this is New Jersey's third road game in five nights. Make Calgary an 8* play.
