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.
Timo Meier 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.
Meier 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. Alexander Holtz sent a puck to the front of the net which bounced off a few skates, including Meier’s before it ricocheted into the net.
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
