The Calgary Flames have had a penchant for scoring early and often in games this season.
Not so on Tuesday night.
Johnny Gaudreau had three goals and six points in win – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
On Tuesday, the Flames struck for six goals in the third period to erase a 4-3 deficit and defeat the visiting New Jersey Devils, 9-4.
Johnny Gaudreau had a hat trick in the win and six points.
“I knew I still had it, they just weren’t going in,” said Gaudreau, who hadn’t scored in his previous nine games. “Our line, it’s been a tough month for us. But we work hard, we’re a good line, (and) we’ve got good chemistry.”
David Rittich made 22 saves to get the win for the Flames who improved to 43-20-7.
“Sometimes you’re fighting the puck, sometimes you’re feeling good, you’re getting looks, you’re making plays up and down the ice,” Gaudreau said. “Our line was clicking tonight. We knew we had some jump in there from warm-ups, and we came in the locker room and we knew we were going to have a good night.”
Blake Coleman, Kyle Palmieri, Kenny Agostino, and Travis Zajac scored for the Devils who have lost seven straight.
“It was unacceptable by everyone in this locker room,” Greene said. “We cannot do that. It doesn’t matter who is in the lineup and who is out, we have to play as hard as we can for each other until the final whistle.”
Derek Ryan scored twice for the Flames.
Kenny Agostino, Sam Bennett, Sean Monahan and Elias Lindholm also scored for the Flames.
“Hopefully we can build from this and keep playing this way the rest of the games that are left,” Lindholm said.
New Jersey dropped to 25-36-9.
“This time of year, it doesn’t matter if you’re in the playoffs or out, the intensity of the game rises, (the) battle level,” Devils captain Andy Greene said. “Everyone’s playing extremely hard right now. It doesn’t matter if you’re a playoff team or not. It’s a good lesson to learn.”
The Devils were no where to be seen in the third period of a game they had the lead.
“It was unacceptable by everyone in this locker room,” Greene said. “We cannot do that. It doesn’t matter who is in the lineup and who is out, we have to play as hard as we can for each other until the final whistle.”
[WATCH: All Devils vs. Flames highlights]
Mackenzie Blackwood made 30 saves in the loss.
“It’s one day. There are good days and there are bad days. This is a bad day. I’ve had good days, I’m going to have bad days. Tomorrow’s a new day. I’m not bringing this game with me into tomorrow. It stays here in Calgary” Blackwood said.
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