Confidence is building with the New Jersey Devils under the tutelage of first-year coach John Hynes, and having Cory Schneider in net is also giving them a major boost.
Schneider should get the chance to build on his first shutout as the surging Devils try to beat the Flames in Calgary for the first time in eight years Tuesday night.
Missing the playoffs for a third straight year last season prompted a change behind the bench for New Jersey (10-6-1), and so far the Devils have responded well to Hynes with 10 victories in 13 games following an 0-3-1 start.
"We talk about our competitive level all the time," left wing Mike Cammalleri said. "I think the results we've had yield a level of confidence. When we're hustling like this, we're able to accomplish a lot."
The Devils earned their fourth win in five games Saturday, getting a 21-save performance from Schneider in a 4-0 victory over Pittsburgh two days after a 3-2 win at defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago.
"We're starting to expect to play this way every game. It's great when everyone gets involved," Schneider said, alluding to New Jersey's seven goal scorers over the last two games. "It's a lot of fun."
Schneider is 9-4-1 with a 1.98 goals-against average in 14 starts this season, but his GAA drops to 1.56 with a .944 save percentage while winning five of his last seven. He's stopped 44 of 47 shots over his past two meetings with Calgary (6-12-1), but lost both at home with New Jersey mustering only one goal.
The Devils have lost five straight to the Flames and four in a row at Scotiabank Saddledome dating to an overtime victory Dec. 23, 2007.
Cammalleri spent two-plus seasons with Calgary from 2012-14 before joining New Jersey as a free agent. He scored in both meetings with his former team last season and enters the opener of this three-game trip through Western Canada with three goals and three assists over the past six games. His three points Saturday gave him a team-leading 17.
The Flames are home for two straight in the middle of a nine-game stretch featuring seven on the road. They concluded a 1-3 trip by giving up four unanswered goals in Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Blackhawks, who visit Calgary on Friday.
David Jones is tied with Sean Monahan with six goals, scoring three in the past four games after going 10 without one. He found the net again Sunday but has no points in five meetings with New Jersey.
Johnny Gaudreau will surely be thrilled with a return home after going without a point and posting a minus-5 during the trip. The left wing has accumulated 11 of his team-high 17 points in Calgary, including nine in the last five games.
A New Jersey native, Gaudreau's only point in two meetings with the Devils came in a 5-4 shootout win at home on Nov. 22.
Karri Ramo is expected to be back in net after stopping 37 of 40 shots Sunday. He's won three straight starts against New Jersey behind a 1.64 GAA.
