Throughout the offseason, The Devils’ Den will preview the Devils 2010-2011 schedule, giving you an in-depth preview of the 29 other teams the Devils will face next season. We’ve already completed several previews, all of which can be found under the “Season Preview” tab. In today’s preview, we go to the Western Conference, taking a look at this season’s matchup with the Calgary Flames.

Flames vs. Devils – Historical Data

In 91 all-time regular season meetings against the Flames, the Devils are 23-56-11-1. New Jersey averages 2.71 goals against the Flames, but allows Calgary to score 3.92 goals per meeting. Last season, the team’s faced off once, with the Flames defeating the Devils, 5-3, in Calgary.

Zach Parise opened the game’s scoring at 13:37 of the first period, giving the Devils a 1-0 lead. It would stay that way until the second period, when the Flames came out red hot. Daymond Langko evened the score, 1-1, at 1:43 of the second period. Curtis Glencross gave the Flames a lead, tallying a shorthanded goal at 5:41 of the period. Eric Nystrom continued the scoring, increasing the lead to two with a goal at 16:04 of the period.

The Flames weren’t done scoring. Matt Stajan continued the goal streak, increasing the lead to 4-1 at 9:29 of the third period. David Moss scored 33 seconds later to push the lead to 5-1. But the Devils wouldn’t go quietly into the night. Parise scored again, tallying a powerplay goal at 16:08 to bring the Devils within three goals, shrinking the Flames lead, 5-2. Ilya Kovalchuk brought the Devils to within two, scoring at 17:26 to shorten the Flames lead, 5-3.

But it would be too little too late, as the Devils couldn’t complete the comeback and defeat their former coach, Brent Sutter. Martin Brodeur stopped 20 shots in the loss. Mikka Kiprusoff made 22 saves for the win.

Devils vs. Flames – This Season’s Matchup

The Devils and Flames face off once this season, on November 24 at the Prudential Center. Last season, the Flames finished 10th in the West and out of the playoffs. During the summer, the team re-signed Olli Jokinen, who didn’t mesh well with captain Jarome Iginla. The Flames traded Jokinen last season to the Rangers at the deadline, and must have seen something to bring him back into the fold (what that is, I have no idea). The team also brought back Alex Tanguay, who put up 81 points with Calgary in 2006-2007.

Calgary always seems tough to play against, and that toughness starts in net. Kiprussof is one of the best goalies in the league, making it tough for teams to score goals. The team also features some good scoring depth and an average blue line. The game will probably be a tough matchup, and it won’t be an easy two points for the Devils this season.

Stat Pack

In 15 career starts against the Flames, Brodeur is 7-5-3 with a 2.17 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage…Jamie Langenbrunner has 17 points against the Flames (five goals, 12 assists) in 26 career games…Iginla has 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 15 games against the Devils.