Flames Vs Devils Tonight: Devils Host Calgary as Markstrom Gets the Start
flames vs devils is on the calendar for Thursday night, with the New Jersey Devils hosting the Calgary Flames at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Puck drop is set for 7: 12 p. m. ET as New Jersey continues its seven-game homestand with its fifth installment. The Devils come in after a three-day gap since their last game, using that window for two practices and a full morning skate as head coach Sheldon Keefe framed the night as a test against a “smart” and “hard-working” opponent.
Game setup and the Devils’ homestand focus
Thursday’s meeting keeps New Jersey at home, extending a seven-game homestand that has already reached its fifth stop. The Devils held a morning skate at Prudential Center ahead of puck drop, with all players on the ice except goaltender Jacob Markstrom. Keefe said Markstrom was given the choice to skate and opted out, adding that Markstrom “doesn’t love to skate on mornings of games. ” Keefe then confirmed Markstrom will start in goal Thursday night.
Keefe also emphasized how the spacing between games has allowed the Devils to work on details that are typically difficult to address during a compressed schedule. He said the recent gaps have meant the team has practiced more in the last few weeks than “virtually the entire season, ” and added that the time has helped them “address a couple different things and build and progress. ”
Flames vs devils lineup decisions: Bratt and Gritsyuk flip wings again
New Jersey is sticking with the recent adjustment that flips Jesper Bratt and Arseny Gritsyuk on the wings. The change reunites Bratt with Jack Hughes, while Gritsyuk returns to a line with Cody Glass and Lenni Hameenaho.
The Devils’ projected forward groups for the night are: Meier–Hischier–Mercer; Bratt–Hughes–Brown; Gritsyuk–Glass–Hameenaho; Cotter–Bjugstad–Tsyplakov. The defensive pairings listed are: Siegenthaler–Hamilton; Hughes–Kovacevic; Dillon–Nemec.
Glass, who is centering two rookies in Gritsyuk and Hameenaho, said the adjustment comes down to communication. “It’s a little bit of an adjustment but we played with Gritsyuk for a while, so we know what he is, ” Glass said. “It’s a little bit different but at the end of the day communication is key. ” He also praised Hameenaho’s progress, calling his defensive growth in the NHL “really hard” and adding, “He’s done a real good job with that. The sky is the limit for him. ”
Immediate reactions: Keefe warns of a disciplined Calgary approach
Keefe’s pregame view of Calgary centered on structure and depth. “They play a smart game, work hard, ” he said, noting the Flames are “missing some guys and made some moves. ” Keefe added that Calgary is “missing some of the top-end skill that a lot of teams have” but has “lots of depth throughout their lineup, ” and stressed that New Jersey must be ready to execute.
Keefe pointed to a recent performance that stood out in his pre-scout, saying Calgary “handled Carolina quite easily at home just last week, ” as a reminder that the Flames can dictate games when they get their identity going.
Quick context: recent Devils result, and what’s at stake late
New Jersey’s four-game winning streak ended Sunday night with a 3-0 loss to Detroit, and the team’s playoff chances were described as already dim before that defeat. Even with that reality, the Devils acknowledged there is still plenty to play for in the final run, with offseason decisions looming around roster makeup and roles.
What’s next after puck drop at 7: 12 p. m. ET
Once the puck drops at 7: 12 p. m. ET, the immediate storylines will be whether New Jersey’s practice time translates into sharper execution and whether the Bratt–Hughes reunion provides a spark while the Glass line continues its on-the-fly development. For the Devils, the night is also a live audition across the lineup as players push for jobs, contracts, and roles heading toward the offseason. When the final horn sounds, flames vs devils will leave New Jersey with another data point from this homestand—both on the scoreboard and in the decisions that come next.
