On January 26, 2025, the NHL saw two exciting matchups with the New Jersey Devils edging out the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 and the Vancouver Canucks defeating the Washington Capitals 2-1. These games were pivotal for teams vying for valuable points as the season progresses.
Starting with the Devils and Canadiens, Jack Hughes emerged as the hero, scoring the game-winner at 4:06 of overtime. This victory marked New Jersey's second consecutive win after struggling through nine losses within their last eleven games. Goaltender Jake Allen impressed with 29 saves, marking his first regular-season start against the Canadiens since he was traded by Montreal to the Devils on March 8, 2024.
The Devils’ scoring included contributions from Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Tomas Tatar, showcasing their resilience. Meanwhile, the Canadiens, led by their top line of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Alexandre Carrier, saw Suzuki and Caufield combine for two goals and five assists. Carrier's goal tied the game at 3-3 early on in the third period, marking his first goal since joining the Canadiens from the Nashville Predators on December 18, 2024.
Despite strong performances, the Canadiens suffered their first back-to-back losses since December 12-14, 2024. Jakub Dobes also made headlines, as the rookie goalie faced his first career loss after winning his first five games since being recalled on December 27, 2024.
The game was particularly significant for the Devils as they played without their starting goalie Jacob Markstrom, who is expected to miss four to six weeks due to an MCL strain sustained during their previous matchup against Boston. The win at the Bell Centre extended New Jersey's stunning streak to nine consecutive victories at this venue, dating back to April 1, 2018.
Turning to the Canucks, they not only managed to beat the league-leading Washington Capitals but did so by limiting star player Alex Ovechkin's scoring chances. Quinn Hughes shone bright throughout the match, scoring both goals for Vancouver and enhancing his five-game point streak, with five goals and two assists during this period. Filip Hronek also contributed with two assists, reinforcing the Canucks’ offensive push.
Despite facing strong opposition, the Canucks' defense held firm. Goaltender Kevin Lankinen made 32 saves, thwarting Ovechkin's attempts, including one early on where Ovechkin unleashed a powerful shot from the top of the circle. The Capitals may have been stymied on this night, but Pierre-Luc Dubois managed to spoil Lankinen's shutout, scoring mid-way through the third period.
This matchup also had significant relevance due to Ovechkin’s chase of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record. To date, he remains 20 goals shy of breaking the legendary milestone of 894 career goals, after netting his 875th NHL goal just days earlier.
The Canucks’ coach Rick Tocchet employed some strategic line changes, pairing star center Elias Pettersson with wingers Nils Hoglander and Linus Karlsson, which proved beneficial. Newcomer Elias Pettersson also made his NHL debut, having been called up from the American Hockey League’s Abbotsford Canucks, making the match even more momentous for the team.
With both victories, both the Devils and Canucks set the stage for important upcoming games. New Jersey is set to face the Philadelphia Flyers, seeking to continue their winning momentum. Meanwhile, the Canucks will travel to St. Louis, where they aim to build on their latest triumph.
Both teams have shown resilience and determination, earning hard-fought wins against challenging opponents, and fans can expect great performances as the season progresses.