National Hockey League
New Jersey 4, Calgary 2
When: 4:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 9, 2023
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta
Referees: Kevin Pollock, Jordan Samuels-Thomas
Linesmen: Michel Cormier, Kiel Murchison
Attendance: 17597

Second-period goals by Jesper Bratt and Nico Hischier, his first of two in the game, erased a deficit and sparked the visiting New Jersey Devils to a 4-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Saturday.

Alexander Holtz also scored for the Devils, who have won three straight games and six of seven. Goaltender Vitek Vanecek made 23 saves, one dozen of them in the opening period to keep his team within striking distance.

Yegor Sharangovich, the former Devil, and Nazem Kadri replied for the Flames, who have lost three of four to end a six-game homestand. Goaltender Dustin Wolf stopped 26 shots.

The Devils were fortunate to trail by one when Hischier tied the game at 3:28 of the second period. Shortly after Jonathan Huberdeau missed an open net, the Devils took advantage of a Calgary turnover and Hischier ripped a top-corner shot for his fifth of the campaign.

Bratt put the Devils ahead at 12:31 of the second period on a wild play. Hischier was knocked down and slid into Wolf, and Coleman's clearing attempt banked into the net off Bratt's leg for his 11th of the season.

Holtz extended the lead with his sixth goal of the season at 8:59 of the third period thanks to another fortunate bounce after another Flames turnover. Holtz sent a puck to the front of the net which bounced off a few skates, including Flames forward Dillon Dube before it ricocheted into the net. Timo Meier was originally credited with the goal.

Kadri made it a one-goal game with 5:14 remaining in regulation by ripping a shot from the right circle for his sixth of the season, but Hischier iced it with a final-minute empty netter.

Making the loss even more disappointing for the Flames was how they earned a lead.

Sharangovich, who the Devils traded to Calgary in the summer in a deal that sent Tyler Toffoli to New Jersey, opened the scoring with 18.1 seconds remaining in the first period. Sprung on a breakaway, Sharangovich lifted a perfect back-hander for his sixth of the season.

It's the first time in nine games the Flames have scored first, and the 18th time in 25 games the Devils have allowed the first goal.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
New Jersey   Calgary
Nico Hischier 2 Points Nazem Kadri 1
Nico Hischier 2 Goals Nazem Kadri 1
Jesper Bratt 1 Assists Rasmus Andersson 1
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals Yegor Sharangovich 1
Vitek Vanecek .920 Save Percentage Dustin Wolf .897
Vitek Vanecek 23 Saves Dustin Wolf 26
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
New Jersey 30 4 0-2 0-0 0 27
Calgary 25 2 0-0 2-2 4 23
Upcoming Games
  • Calgary will play their next game on the road against Colorado. The Flames have a W/L % of .273 after a win and .500 after a loss.
  • New Jersey will play their next game on the road against Edmonton. The Devils have a W/L % of .571 after a win and .545 after a loss.