Two teams hovering around the .500 mark and desperate to establish consistency will collide in Calgary, as the New Jersey Devils begin a four-game road trip against the Flames. This inter-conference matchup presents a classic clash of styles, pitting New Jersey’s high-flying offensive talent against Calgary’s structured, physical approach. For bettors, the near pick’em odds create an intriguing puzzle, with underlying trends pointing towards a distinct advantage for one side.
1. Game Overview
- Matchup: New Jersey Devils vs. Calgary Flames
- Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
- Time: 9:00 PM EST
- Location: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, AB
- TV: ESPN+
2. Team Form and Analysis
The New Jersey Devils enter this contest as a paradigm of inconsistency. After snapping a four-game losing streak with a victory over Minnesota, they were promptly dispatched 4-1 by the Carolina Hurricanes in their last outing. Now 2-3-0 in their last five, the Devils continue to struggle with defensive structure and reliable goaltending, often squandering the elite offensive creation of stars like Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt. When their transition game is flowing, they can skate with any team in the league, but they remain prone to critical breakdowns that put immense pressure on their netminders.
The Calgary Flames, meanwhile, are showing signs of finding their rhythm. They come into this game off a solid 4-2 victory over the New York Islanders and are aiming to build a winning streak. While their record over the last ten games is an even 5-5-0, their identity is becoming clearer. The Flames play a heavy, grinding game, relying on a disciplined forecheck and strong play along the boards. Players like Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman set the tone, and when they receive steady goaltending, they are a tough out, particularly on home ice.
3. Injury Report
The New Jersey Devils may be without a key veteran forward, as Ondrej Palat (LW) is listed as day-to-day with an illness. His status for the game is uncertain.
The Calgary Flames currently have no significant players listed on the injury report.
4. Standings & Trends Analysis
New Jersey Devils:
- Overall Record: 24-22
- Away Record: 12-13
- Puck Line (Overall/Away): 18-30 / 12-13
- Over/Under (Overall/Away): 20-28 / 12-13
The Devils have been one of the least profitable teams in the league for spread bettors, with a dismal 18-30 puck line record. Their performance on the road is a losing one, both straight-up (12-13) and against the spread (12-13). Interestingly, despite their offensive reputation, they have a strong trend towards the under, hitting it in 28 of 48 games this season.
Calgary Flames:
- Overall Record: 21-23
- Home Record: 13-7
- Puck Line (Overall/Home): 28-20 / 16-6
- Over/Under (Overall/Home): 28-20 / 13-9
The Flames present a starkly different betting profile. They have been a force at the Scotiabank Saddledome, boasting a 13-7 straight-up record. More impressively, they have been an ATM for puck line bettors at home, covering the spread in 16 of their 22 home contests. Their games have also trended heavily towards the over, both overall (28-20) and at home (13-9).
5. Betting Odds Analysis
- Moneyline: Devils -118 / Flames -102
- Puck Line: Devils -1.5 (+205) / Flames +1.5 (-260)
- Total: Over 5.5 (-138) / Under 5.5 (+112)
The moneyline is essentially a coin flip, with a very slight lean towards the visiting Devils. This pricing suggests the market views these teams as nearly equal on neutral ice. However, the puck line tells a different story. The exorbitant -260 juice on the Flames to cover +1.5 goals indicates that oddsmakers and the market anticipate an extremely close game or an outright Flames victory. The total is juiced heavily to the Over at -138, directly conflicting with New Jersey’s strong Under trend (20-28) but aligning with Calgary’s Over trend (28-20).
6. Prediction & Betting Angle
Final Score Prediction: Flames 4, Devils 2
This matchup presents a clear case of a team’s home-ice advantage being undervalued by the moneyline price. The Devils are a sub-.500 team on the road (12-13) and have been a financial black hole for puck line backers all season (18-30). Their inconsistency and defensive liabilities make them an untrustworthy short road favorite.
Conversely, the Calgary Flames have been a juggernaut at the Saddledome. Their 13-7 straight-up home record is excellent, but their 16-6 record covering the puck line at home is the most telling statistic. It demonstrates a consistent ability to not only win but to outperform market expectations in their own building.
Given the almost even-money price, taking the team with the dramatic and proven home-ice advantage is the sharp play. The market is pricing this like a toss-up, but the trends paint a picture of a strong home team against a weak road team. The value lies with the Flames.
The Pick: Calgary Flames Moneyline (-102)
Disclaimer: This article is for entertainment purposes only. All betting information is provided for informational purposes and is not a recommendation to wager.
Sources:
Calgary Flames vs New Jersey Devils hockey Head To Head – AiScore
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