CALGARY, Alberta — The Calgary Flames ended their four-game losing streak with a solid 3-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Friday night, highlighted by Blake Coleman’s two-goal performance and a stellar showing from goaltender Dan Vladar, who notched his third career shutout by stopping 22 shots.
In a game that saw Jonathan Huberdeau also find the back of the net, the Flames managed to end a challenging stretch during which they had struggled offensively, scoring only nine goals in five prior games.
The match was evenly contested until Coleman broke the deadlock with a clever deflection with just 5:34 remaining in the third period. Huberdeau quickly followed up, scoring just 28 seconds later to further boost Calgary’s confidence. Coleman capped off the scoring with an empty-net goal at 3:15 left on the clock.
Vladar’s most impressive save came during a breakaway attempt by New Jersey’s Jack Hughes in the second period, showcasing his quick reflexes and ability to handle pressure situations.
**Injury Report:** The Devils faced some adversity when Nathan Bastian, a towering 6-foot-4 forward, was forced to leave the game late in the first period due to a jaw injury sustained in a fight with 5-foot-9 Ryan Lomberg. Bastian initiated the altercation after taking issue with a hard hit on teammate Paul Cotter, but Lomberg dominated the exchange with a series of punches before Bastian had to exit.
**Offensive Troubles:** The Flames had been prolific earlier in the season, scoring 24 goals in their first six games. However, their offense has stalled significantly in recent outings, highlighting the need for improvement going forward.
**Defining Moment:** The turning point of the match came when Kevin Bahl, who was acquired in the trade that sent Jacob Markstrom to the Devils, unleashed a powerful slap shot from the blue line. Coleman managed to redirect it in front of the net, marking the crucial first goal for Calgary and shifting the momentum in their favor.
**Power Play Woes:** A significant area of concern for the Flames is their power play efficiency. After starting the season with a respectable 5 for 15 on power plays, they have since struggled, failing to convert on their last 20 opportunities across six games, including two full overtime periods.
**Looking Ahead:** The Devils will head to Edmonton for their next game on Monday, concluding their three-game road trip, while the Flames are set to host the Oilers on Sunday, as they look to build on their newfound momentum from this win.