Flames vs. Devils final score: New Jersey wins in 'NHL 20' simulation

Sam Ficarro

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Flames vs. Devils final score: New Jersey wins in 'NHL 20' simulation image

Everyone is still coping without sports after last week's announcement of the NHL pausing the 2019-20 season due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Calgary Flames and New Jersey Devils decided to play their originally scheduled game Thursday — with a twist. The game would be a simulated "NHL 20" game that was live streamed.

In real life, the Flames took the first meeting in Calgary on Nov. 7 with defenseman Noah Hanifin leading the way with three points (one goal, two assists). The result was different Thursday night as the Devils won 6-4, with the game really taking off after the first period.

MORE: How to watch full replays of every 2019-20 NHL regular-season game

Each team scored twice in the second period, with Matthew Tkachuk notching both of Calgary's goals. The teams entered the third period tied 3-3.

It was all Devils in the final 20 minutes. Forward Pavel Zacha scored twice in the period as New Jersey put the game out of reach. Zacha was named the game's third star with two goals and one assist.

Special teams ended up being the difference in the game: The Devils were 2 for 2 on the power play while the Flames were 0 for 2. 

The goaltending matchup featured each team's backups. Cam Talbot started for the Flames and Cory Schneider went between the pipes for the Devils. Both were very busy, with Schneider making a career-high 98 saves to earn the game's first star. Calgary outshot New Jersey 102-86 as the Flames spent 9 minutes, 22 seconds on the attack

Devils defenseman Connor Carrick was in disbelief over his numbers from the game.

Sporting News provided live updates of all the action as the Devils defeated the Flames.

Flames vs. Devils live score, updates, highlights from 'NHL 20' simulated game

(All times are Eastern)

Third period: Devils 6, Flames 4

8:40 p.m. —  Devils win 6-4 behind two goals from Pavel Zacha and a 98-save performance from Cory Schneider.

8:38 p.m. — GOAL.  Andrew Mangiapane scores on a shot that bounced off the back boards with under a minute remaining. It's too little, too late though for Calgary.  Devils lead 6-4.

8:31 p.m. — GOAL.  After an initial save by Talbot, Zacha scores on the rebound for his second goal of the night. The Devils might have just put the game away.  Devils lead 6-3

8:30 p.m. —  A centering feed to Zacha leads to Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson to take a tripping penalty. Devils go back to the power play.

8:29 p.m. —  Another point-blank save by Schneider. 5:29 remaining in regulation.

8:27 p.m. —  Talbot lies on his back to cover the puck up after New Jersey hit the post.

8:26 p.m. —  Great glove save by Talbot to keep the game at 5-3. 7:49 remaining in regulation.

8:23 p.m. —  Flames with a major push, but Schneider is swallowing up every shot in the third period.

8:16 p.m. — GOAL.  Nico Hischier scores on a curling move in front of Talbot. New Jersey takes the game's first multi-goal lead of the night.  Devils lead 5-3.

8:15 p.m. —  Devils kill their second penalty of the night with five minutes gone in the third period.

8:12 p.m. —  Jankowski's shot hits the post with Kuokkanen getting called for a penalty moments later. Calgary goes on the man-advantage for the second time tonight seeking an equalizer.

8:09 p.m. — GOAL.  New Jersey retakes the lead on an excellent pass from Palmieri across goal to Zacha.  Devils lead 4-3.

8:07 p.m. —  Third period underway.

Second period: Flames 3, Devils 3

8:03 p.m. — GOAL.  Flames immediately answer on Matthew Tkachuk's second goal of the night. He stuck with it after the puck was dislodged.  Game tied at three.

8:02 p.m. —  GOAL.  Devils capitalize on the power play on a goal from Miles Wood off an excellent feed from Pavel Zacha.  Devils lead 3-2.

8:00 p.m.  —  Devils heading to the man-advantage after a tripping penalty on Calgary's Mark Jankowski. First power play of the night fo New Jersey

7:54 p.m.  —   GOAL. A juicy rebound for Jack Hughes and he buries the chance to even things up.  Game tied at two.  

7:52 p.m.  — Devils really struggling to hit the net with their opportunities. On the other hand, Calgary is only firing shots at Schneider. 

7:46 p.m.  — GOAL.  Flames take the lead on a backhanded pass from T.J. Brodie to Matthew Tkachuk. It's a two-point night for Tkachuk, who assisted Backlund's game-tying goal earlier.  Flames lead 2-1.  

7:43 p.m.  — Great stick by the Devils defenseman to spoil a 2-on-1 break for the Flames. 

7:40 p.m.  —  Palmieri misses the net on a centering pass in between the two circles.

7:38 p.m.  — Both goaltenders have been peppered with shots, but each has held strong allowing just one goal so far. 

7:32 p.m.  —  Second period underway.

First period: Flames 1, Devils 1

7:30 p.m.  — GOAL.  Mikael Backlund scores in the dying seconds of the opening period on Calgary's 34th shot of the game.  Game tied at one.

7:26 p.m.  —  Devils kill the penalty behind a handful of saves from Cory Schneider. Lots of offensive zone time for the Flames, but couldn't cash in.

7:23 p.m.  — Tripping penalty on New Jersey's Damon Severson. Calgary goes to the power play. 

7:20 p.m. —   Huge pad save by Talbot after Nikita Gusev was unmarked in front of the Flames goalie.

7:15 p.m.  —  GOAL.  Forward Michael McLeod scores on a rebound in front of Cam Talbot.  Devils lead 1-0.

7:11 p.m. —  Kyle Palmieri misses the net after getting behind the Flames defense. Still looking for the opening goal.

7:06 p.m. —  Nico Hischier absorbed a hit in front of the Flames bench and was shaken up. He's staying on the bench.

7:05 p.m. —  Rasmus Andersson continues Calgary's physical play with a hit in the defensive zone on Devils forward Joey Anderson.

7:03 p.m. —  Travis Hamonic lays a huge open-ice hit on Jesper Bratt on New Jersey's blue line.

7:02 p.m. —  Cam Talbot makes a huge save denying the Devils on a two-man breakaway

7:01 p.m. —  Game on.

Sam Ficarro