NEWARK — Mikael Backlund scored the game-winning goal 1:13 into overtime to cap off a comeback win for the Calgary Flames over the Devils on Friday at the Prudential Center.
The game went to overtime after the Devils erased an early two-goal deficit with three unanswered goals, before the Flames tied the game again in the third period.
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The Flames capitalized on the two power plays they earned in the first period, with the first ending with an 80-second possession in the Devils’ zone before Sean Monahan blasted a shot past goalie Cory Schneider as lovejoy emerged from the box at 17:15.
Devils forward Kyle Palmieri went to the box for an interference penalty as time expired in the first, allowing the Flames to open the second period with a power play goal 22 seconds into play. Kris Versteeg took advantage of the second power play for his 10th goal of the season.
But after Adam Henrique scored an even strength goal to pull the Devils back within one goal at 8:36, Pavel Zacha tied the game on a power play by pouncing on a Michael Cammalleri shot that bounded off the boards. Zacha sent a tight-angled shot in front between Flames goalie Brian Elliott and left post for his fifth goal of the season at 11:39.
The Devils earned another power play goal late in the second when Kyle Palmieri redirected a Taylor Hall shot into net at the right post with 24 seconds left in the frame.
Injuries: Captain Andy Greene return to the lineup on Friday after missing the previous 12 games with an arm injury, suffered on Jan. 3.
Defenseman John Moore participated in morning skate, his first team activity since suffering a concussion on Dec. 31. Beau Bennett also returned to team participation for the first time since Jan. 20, when he blocked a shot against the Montreal Canadiens.
Vern Fiddler was technically a healthy scratch on Friday, but coach John Hynes said before the game that the team was managing Fiddler with the Devils starting a stretch of three games in four days. Fiddler returned from a nearly month-long IR stint on Jan. 21.
The Flames drew even again in the third period when Matt Stajan redirected a pass in front past Schneider at 7:22, tying the game at 3-3.
Next up: The Devils will hop over to Ohio where they will play the Columbus Blue Jackets for the first time this season at 7 p.m. on Saturday. The Devils then return home to play the Buffalo Sabres at 7 p.m. on Monday before starting their five-day bye week.
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