NEWARK, N.J. - David Rittich will get the start between the pipes tonight against the New Jersey Devils.
Rittich is 4-1-0-2 on the season with a 2.23 GAA and .926 save percentage.
The Flames have had two long travel days since the recent road trip started and coach Glen Gulutzan said that played a part in the decision to give Rittich the nod in the first of back-to-back games, the second of which comes Friday night against the NY Rangers.
"Ritter was going one of these two anyway and just coming off the travel days and coming out of that Chicago game, just the way we felt this would be a better one," said Gulutzan. "Give Smitty (starter Mike Smith) an extra day to get a practice in and regroup after those long couple of days for us."
In another change, Ryan Lomberg will draw into the lineup tonight in place of Curtis Lazar.
"Lombo is going to bring certainly some energy and some juice like he did in Edmonton when we played him last," said Gulutzan.
When asked what he likes best about Lomberg, he replied "The energy. He is full throttle and against a team like this one tonight where they play with some great pace - got a lot of guys that can move - he'll be a good asset for us."
PROJECTED LINEUP - FLAMES @ DEVILS
Calgary's projected lines, defence pairings and starting goalie for tonight's game