(SportsNetwork.com) - The New Jersey Devils will try to extend their longest winning streak of the season to five games when they welcome the sliding Calgary Flames for Wednesday's battle at Prudential Center.
The Devils have won four in a row, but despite the winning streak the club is still eight points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with only 22 games left on its schedule.
Another victory tonight, however, would give New Jersey its longest winning streak since a five-game run from Feb. 3-10, 2013.
The Devils' most recent victory came Monday against Arizona, as Cory Schneider turned away all 38 shots he faced for his third shutout of the season in a 3-0 win.
Mike Cammalleri scored twice and Scott Gomez lit the lamp once for the Devils.
"The guys in front did a really good job because I didn't really have to make any tough saves," said Schneider. "They kept things clear in front and cleaned up any of the rebounds that were sitting there."
The Devils are 4-0 on a six-game homestand ends Friday against Boston, which currently holds the final playoff spot in the East. New Jersey is 15-8-7 as the home club this season
Calgary is in close battle for a playoff spot out West, but the club has not helped its chances recently, going 0-2-1 during a three-game losing streak. The slide has the Flames just outside the postseason picture with 68 points, where they are tied with San Jose and one in back of Minnesota for the second wild card spot in the West.
The Flames began a seven-game road trip Tuesday with a 1-0 regulation loss against the New York Rangers. Kevin Hayes scored the game's only goal early in the third period and Cam Talbot stopped 21 shots to post a shutout.
Calgary received a strong 28-save effort from Karri Ramo, but had trouble generating offensive chances as it lost a second straight tilt in regulation.
Despite losing the game, Calgary extended its franchise record by not allowing a power-play goal for a 12th consecutive outing. The Flames have killed off 22 straight penalties during that stretch
The Flames have lost three of their last four road games (1-3-0) and fell to 15-12-1 as the guest this season.
The good news for Calgary is it has fared well against the Devils in recent years, winning four straight over New Jersey and posting at least a point in six consecutive outings in the series (5-0-1). The Flames are 2-1-1 in their last four trips to the Garden State.
Jonas Hiller expects to start in net for Calgary and face Schneider. Hiller is 2-2-2 with a 2.29 goals against average in six career games against the Devils.
Schneider is 4-3-0 with a 1.98 GAA in seven lifetime starts versus the Flames.
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