If the Devils want to bestow head coach Sutter with a holiday present, nothing would be better than a win tonight.  The schedule makers randomly assigned Sutter's Devils to play Calgary today Sunday Dec. 23, right around Christmas time.  Since their next game is not until Friday, Sutter can enjoy Christmas with his wife and family members, who remain in Red Deer in between Edmonton and Calgary (17-13-6) while Sutter is managing New Jersey (19-13-3).

It would also be a nice gift to the Devils' players (and their respective others), who responded to a 5-0 shutout loss to Vancouver with a 3-1 win in Edmonton several nights later.

Patrik Elias and Brian Gionta contributed two goals and two assists in the victory over the Oilers in front of Sutter’s wife and mother, who were both ecstatic after Madden’s empty-net clinching tally in the final minute of regulation.  They should be at the Pengrowth Saddledome tonight as well.

Another member of the Sutter dynasty (six brothers played in the NHL) will be among the thousands of fans in attendance tonight.  Brent’s older brother Daryl is the general manager of the Flames, which will reunite the two brothers for the game and for the holidays.

The Devils are finishing a three-game road trip and would love to finish 2-1, going into a five-day vacation, before hosting Buffalo at the Prudential Center on Friday.

Calgary has been struggling at home thus far, 7-7-5, and would have liked to play on the road where they are a more respectable 10-6-1.

This is a great chance for the woeful Devils offense to take advantage of a weak Flames defensive presence.  They have allowed 107 goals thus far, but have stayed in the playoff hunt with 105 goals scored offensively.

Jarome Iginla leads the way with 24 goals and 25 assists, while Kristian Huselius, Daymond Langkow, and Alex Tanguay have all surpassed the 30-point mark.

This poses a difficult matchup for the “John Madden” line, who can only defend against two of these four players.  Madden’s usual linemate Jay Pandolfo stayed in New Jersey to rehabilitate a pelvic injury he suffered nearly a month ago (Nov. 28).

The Devils’ leading scorer Zach Parise (15G 20A) will not play tonight due to a case of the flu, making Elias and Gio's roles that much more important.

"The Flames have won three of their last four meetings with the Devils (19-13-3), but have not faced them since a 4-1 victory at New Jersey on Dec. 7, 2005. Calgary has not hosted the Devils since a 5-4 win on March 5, 2003."

Happy Holidays.

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