As the Stanley Cup playoffs loom on the horizon, the New Jersey Devils are readying themselves to fortify their position, anticipating a fiery showdown with the Calgary Flames. The Devils, who’ve managed to carve out a comfortable lead over their closest competitors, are gearing up to welcome the Flames at their home turf this Thursday.
Brenden Dillon, the Devils’ defenseman, reflected on the team’s high-stakes mindset, stating, “We’re in playoff hockey mode right now. Every point matters to us. The standings are in flux, changing every night, and we’re up against Calgary, a team fresh from a big win in New York. They’re in the thick of their own playoff battle.”
Fresh from a 2-1 triumph over the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Devils are poised to commence a three-game homestand. They’re not likely to dwell on past grievances with the playoffs in full swing, but past incidents could add a dash of excitement to the proceedings. Paul Cotter, Devils forward, hinted at the simmering tension, declaring, “What happened last game will not be forgotten, and it will be taken care of. But our primary focus is on securing our spot in the playoffs, positioning ourselves favorably, and ensuring the team stays healthy. It’s a delicate balancing act.”
In a strategic move, the Devils’ coach Sheldon Keefe revealed on Wednesday that Jacob Markstrom, their goaltender acquired through a trade with the Flames during the summer, will start the game.
The Flames, on the other hand, are fresh off a crucial 2-1 win over the Rangers. This victory draws them just two points shy of the Vancouver Canucks in the race for the Western Conference’s second wild-card spot, with a game still in hand.
The Flames’ forward, Nazem Kadri, praised the team’s resilience, saying, “It’s all about character. Everyone stepped up to ensure the win, whether it was blocking shots or scoring timely goals. Despite a rough start, we showed great character and played one of our best games this season.”
The Flames pulled off an impressive comeback, bouncing back from an early 1-0 deficit and restricting the Rangers to a mere 13 shots on goal. Flames coach Ryan Huska lauded the team’s performance, saying, “This was possibly one of our best games this season. Despite conceding an early goal, the team remained dedicated to playing strategically. Their goaltender (Igor Shesterkin with 33 saves) was exceptional. It was a night where we could’ve scored more than two or three.”
In this high-stakes face-off, both teams are desperately seeking victories to maintain their momentum in the playoff chase. It remains to be seen who will emerge victorious in this thrilling contest.