MONTREAL — The New Jersey Devils emphatically defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-0 on Saturday, with Jake Allen delivering a stellar performance, marking his fourth shutout of the season. Allen, who made 34 saves against his former team, sealed the deal by denying Owen Beck on a penalty shot just 15 seconds before the final whistle, showcasing his comeback since being traded from Montreal last season.
"We wanted this win so much for Jaker," Jesper Bratt commented after the game, expressing the team's collective joy for their goalie. With this victory, the Devils not only secured two points but sent shockwaves through the league as they maintained their competitive edge just before the upcoming Four Nations Face-Off break.
Bratt and Jack Hughes both contributed to the scoreboard with one goal and one assist each, reflecting their potent offensive collaboration throughout the match. Paul Cotter and Luke Hughes also added to the tally for New Jersey, contributing to the team's dominant performance.
The game saw its first goal at the 13:43 mark of the first period. After solid forechecking from the Devils' fourth line, Bratt received the puck from Tomas Tatar and lasered it past Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault, putting New Jersey up 1-0.
The second goal came from Cotter just under nine minutes later. Following yet another powerful shift, Cotter converted on Bratt’s rebound following one of Bratt’s shots, extending the lead to 2-0. Despite the Canadiens controlling much of the play, the Devils executed their game plan effectively, leaving the ice at the end of the second period with the advantage.
The start of the third saw the Devils kill off a penalty effectively, which was pivotal to their success. Shortly thereafter, Allen’s heroics continued as he thwarted breakaway attempts, keeping Montreal scoreless.
Things escalated quickly when Jack Hughes made it 3-0, combining with Bratt for another beautiful play during a 2-on-1 opportunity. Hughes fired the puck top-shelf, rendering Montembeault helpless. The final nail was driven by Luke Hughes, who found the back of the net with another well-placed shot, wrapping up what was already considered one of the season's stronger performances.
Bratt's strong outing extended his point streak to eight games, during which he has scored two goals and provided 10 assists. Reflecting on his recent form, Bratt noted, "Today was our way to really dial it in before the break. We executed perfectly as a lineup." The performance showcases Bratt's increasing importance to the team.
Conversely, the Canadiens are grappling with dismal results, having lost seven of their last eight games. The tension among Montreal fans was palpable, with many frustrated by the team's inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki conceded, "We obviously need to find ways to score. We generate some chances but it hasn’t been good enough, especially at home."
Sam Montembeault stopped only 18 shots during the game, contrasting sharply with Allen's performance. His struggles were apparent, and post-game he acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, "I know I can be more consistent. I have to work on finding my game again during the break."
The tightening upcoming schedule has both teams reeling under the pressure. The Devils are heading for a two-week break, but will resume their season hosting the Dallas Stars on February 22, 2025. Meanwhile, the Canadiens are set to host the Tampa Bay Lightning next, hoping to break their losing streak.
Overall, the game showcased key moments for the Devils as they displayed resilience, effective strategy on both offense and defense, and what can be achieved through teamwork. Their ability to gain momentum just before the break highlights their potential for the remainder of the season.