The New Jersey Devils took on the Montreal Canadiens for the third and final time this season. They head into the 4 National Face-off break on a high note, defeating the Canadiens 4-0. The Devils sit at 31-20-6 going into the break, two points back of the Carolina Hurricanes for second in the Metropolitan Division.
Game Recap
First Period
It took until after the midway point of the first period, but the Devils broke the ice. Tomas Tatar fed a backhanded pass over to Jesper Bratt who fired a wrist shot past Sam Montembault to grab the 1-0 lead. It’s a gut punch to the Canadiens, who generated good chances, but never resulted in shots on goal. The Devils got a late power play, but could not convert and took a 1-0 lead into the second period.
That was a much better period by the Devils compared to the last game. The Canadiens held the slight edge in shot attempts at five-on-five (17-14), but shots on goal were tied eight for each team. The Canadiens did however hold the edge in expected goals at 0.76-0.42.
Second Period
A penalty called on defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic led to a Canadiens power play. They did not convert, but it led to a flurry of chances. Jake Allen stood tall and came up with numerous key saves. With just over seven minutes left in the second period, the Devils extended their lead.
This play doesn’t happen without Jack Hughes. After nearly falling and sending a backhanded pass to Bratt, Paul Cotter capitalized on the rebound to make it 2-0 Devils. That’s how things would stay, with the Devils taking a commanding lead into the third period.
The Canadiens were still a better team in the second. They generated more shot attempts at five on five play and the Devils were playing loose defensively. The Devils registered just six shots on goal during five on five play compared to the Canadiens 13. The Canadiens also held a significant edge in expected goals 1.76-0.86.
Third Period
It only took 1:52 into the third period, but Jack Hughes put the Devils on the board. After the Devils killed off the penalty, the Devils went to work. Hughes skated into the zone two on one and fired a shot top shelf to make it 3-0. With 9:51 left in the period, the other Hughes brother went to work.
After a cross-ice pass by Timo Meier bounced off the boards, Luke Hughes sent a missile of a shot past Montembault to make it 4-0.
The Devils hung onto the lead and closed out the game with a 4-0 victory. Allen helped cement the victory with a save on a penalty shot by Owen Beck.
Game Notes
- Jake Allen was a brick wall in net for the Devils. He posted his fourth shutout of the year and finished the game with 3.89 goals saved above expected according to Natural Stat Trick.
- Jack Hughes with another dominant performance. With him on the ice, the Devils had all four goals, held the expected goals share at 72.57%, and was able to generate quality chances all game.
- The Devils continued their dominance in Montreal. With the victory Saturday, they now have won 10 in a row in Montreal.
What’s Next?
The Devils will not play again on February 22 at home against the Dallas Stars. They will surely enjoy the time off thanks to the 4 Nations Face-off Classic.