Devils host Flames in key playoff battle

The New Jersey Devils are preparing for an important matchup against the Calgary Flames as they push for a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Devils hold an eight-point lead over the New York Rangers in their division. They have won four of their last five games and recently beat the Columbus Blue Jackets in a close 2-1 game. Defenseman Brenden Dillon emphasized the importance of each game right now. He noted that the standings are changing often, making every point critical. The Flames, who are also fighting for their playoff chances, are coming off a big win against the Rangers. They won their previous game 2-1, but struggled earlier with a loss to the Maple Leafs. There is some history between the two teams. In their last meeting, a fight resulted in an injury to Devils player Nate Bastian. While players acknowledge this incident, both teams are more focused on securing win to qualify for the playoffs. The Devils will start goaltender Jacob Markstrom, who joined them from the Flames in a trade. The Flames currently trail the Vancouver Canucks for the last wild-card spot in the Western Conference. The Flames showed great resilience in their recent win against the Rangers, dominating the game despite falling behind early. Both teams are determined to win, knowing how crucial these last games of the season are for their playoff ambitions.