Flames Hold Off Late Devils Push in 5-4 Win

The Calgary Flames built an early lead and survived a frantic final push from the New Jersey Devils to secure a 5-4 victory.

First Period

Calgary opened the scoring in the first when John Beecher fired a wrist shot past Markstrom for his second goal of the season. The play was set up by Matvei Gridin, who picked up the lone assist.

The Flames doubled their lead shortly after when defensemen Olli Määttä blasted a slap shot into the back of the net for his first goal of the season, giving Calgary a 2-0 advantage.

New Jersey responded late in the period. With 3:46 left on the clock, Maksim Tsyplakov scored his first goal as a Devil on a snap shot to cut the deficit to 2-1. The Devils generated a late power play opportunity in the final minute, but Calgary goaltender Dustin Wolf tracked the puck well and preserved their lead heading into first intermission.

Second Period

Calgary struck again early in the middle frame, this time shorthanded. Beecher recorded his second goal of the game, finishing a wrist shot to make it 3-1.

The Devils answered when defensemen Simon Nemec wired a wrist shot past Wolf for his 10th of the season. The goal was assisted by Luke Hughes and Jacob Markstrom, cutting the Flames' lead down to 3-2.

Calgary regained breathing room later in the period as Yegor Sharangovich scored on a backhand to restore a two-goal lead at 4-2. Ryan Strome and Victor Olofsson collected the assists.

Third Period

The Flames extended their lead early in the third when captain Mikael Backlund scored on a wrist shot, with assists from Joel Farabee and Brayden Parchal, pushing the score to 5-2.

New Jersey refused to go quietly. Star center Jack Hughes pulled the Devils closer with a snap shot goal, assisted by Jesper Bratt and Dougie Hamilton, making it 5-3.

With an empty net and the Devils on a power play, the comeback nearly materialized. With just 3.7 seconds remaining, Luke Hughes buried a wrist shot to bring New Jersey within one. Jesper Bratt and Jack Hughes added assists on the play.

Despite the late pushback, Calgary held on for the 5-4 win.

Key Takeaways

• Beecher led Calgary with two goals, including a shorthanded tally.

• The Devils mounted a late push with two third-period goals, but ran out of time.

• Wolf's steady and strong play early on helped Calgary maintain control.