Recap: Canadiens Stifle Active Devils Offense in 5-2 Loss

Date: February 23, 2023

By: Ryan Johnston

The Devils after a tough loss to the Canadiens.

Ed Mulholland/USA TODAY Sports

Sam Montembeault’s big night in net propelled the Montreal Canadiens (24-29-4) to a 5-2 win over the New Jersey Devils (37-15-5) Tuesday night.

Though the Devils dominated the offensive zone most of the game, Montembeault was an immovable object in net, earning himself a .943 save percentage on 33 shots saved. The Canadiens coupled this with a productive second period, grabbing a couple of goals and cementing a solid lead.

“We weren’t at our best right from the start,” Damon Severson said postgame. “We came on at times, but it still wasn’t enough.”

Justin Barron scored early in the first period off a snapshot assisted by Nick Suzuki and Harvey-Pinard.

Jesper Bratt evened up the tally at one late in the first with some finesse; Jack Hughes was credited with the assist. Vitek Vanecek ended the period with a huge save off a screamer near the crease, keeping things level heading into the second period.

You Bratter believe we’re tied. pic.twitter.com/LS254HcmCB
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) February 22, 2023

Montreal jumped out to a quick lead in the second period. Johnathan Kovacevic opened up the scoring for the period and was followed by Suzuki just one minute later. Neither team was able to capitalize on the power plays given to them, and the Canadiens held a controlled 3-1 lead going into the third period.

This momentum continued into the fourth. Rem Pitlick extended the lead to three off a snapshot, and from there the game was too far gone.

“I don’t think we deserved [to win],” Nico Hischier said postgame. “We had the chances; we weren’t lacking in that. They capitalized on their chances; just how it goes sometimes.”

The Devils did put up a fight. Dawson Mercer scored a goal late in the period, and New Jersey heavily pressured Montembeault in net. It was too little too late, though. After an open netter, the Canadiens took the win 5-2.

New Jersey took 39 shots to Montreal’s 18.

The Devils are back in action Thursday when they take on the Kings.

“We’re going to make tomorrow another off day,” Head Coach Lindy Ruff said. “We’ll rest them, and we’ll get ready for LA.”

Ryan Johnston can be reached at ryan.johnston@student.shu.edu.

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