Devs get scare in loss

The Western Conference-leading Calgary Flames are rolling after finishing off the Eastern portion of their NHL schedule.

Johnny Gaudreau set up two second-period goals, including the winner by Mark Giordano, and the Flames extended their season-high winning streak to seven games with a 2-1 victory over the Devils on Wednesday night in Newark.

The game was delayed 10 minutes early in the third period after Devils defenseman Mirco Mueller crashed into the end boards on a rush and had to be taken from the ice on a stretcher. He moved his legs and gave a thumbs-up to fans.

“He’s got full range of motion and he’s conscious and he’s just at the hospital now getting evaluated now, but thank God he’s OK,” Devils coach John Hynes said. “He’s fully conscious and all of his extremities are moving fine . ... Mentally, he was fine and he sat up before he left the arena for the hospital, and (had) full awareness of what was going on.”

“I think we’ve come a long way in that sense and play well defensively,” Giordano said of winning on a night when the team struggled playing the second of a back-to-back. “We have the goaltending, we have the depth if we can get our minds in the right place. I think we’re a really good hockey team and we can do some damage.” Elias Lindholm also scored for the Flames, who have points in eight straight games. David Rittich made 19 saves in improving to 22-5-5.

Kevin Rooney scored a shorthanded goal for the Devils. Mackenzie Blackwood, who spent the last three weeks in the minor leagues, was outstanding in making 33 saves in his return to the NHL.

After outshooting the Devils 15-5 in a scoreless first period, Calgary took the lead at 1:07 of the second period on Lindholm’s 26th goal of the season. His intended pass from the left circle with the Devils playing two men down hit off the skate of defenseman Sami Vatanen and caromed past Blackwood.

“A lucky one,” Lindholm said.