On Saturday afternoon, the New Jersey Devils dominated the Montreal Canadiens, sealing a decisive 4-0 victory at the Bell Centre. Goaltender Jake Allen was the standout performer, making 34 saves and securing his fourth shutout of the season, much to the delight of Devils fans and his own teammates.
From the puck drop, the Devils exhibited sharp offensive skills. Jesper Bratt opened the scoring at 13:43 of the first period, finding the back of the net with a quick wrist shot from the top of the slot after receiving a pass from Tomas Tatar. This success was only the beginning, as Bratt contributed not just with goals but also aided his teammates throughout the match.
Montreal attempted to fight back, with Josh Anderson generating opportunities early on, including a breakaway chance. But Allen thwarted Anderson’s backhand attempt, signaling his intent to keep the Canadiens scoreless for the day. With 15.7 seconds left in the game, Montreal was awarded a penalty shot after Owen Beck was pulled down by Jack Hughes. Allen again came through, making a fantastic blocker save to preserve the shutout.
Allen, who has taken on increased responsibilities following the injury to starting goalie Jacob Markstrom, highlighted the importance of the win. “It's always fun to play here,” Allen noted, reflecting on the significance of facing his former team. “For me, every game I have left here before I'm too old to play anymore is special.” His confidence and focus were palpable as he made spectacular saves from both Cole Caufield and Anderson, underlining his suitability for the starting role.
Adding to the scoring effort, Paul Cotter and Jack Hughes netted goals. Cotter's was particularly noteworthy as he backhanded home a rebound following Bratt's shot early in the second period, extending the lead to 2-0. Hughes displayed his scoring touch early in the third period, firing home after leading a 2-on-1 breakout, making it 3-0.
The final nail was driven home midway through the third when Luke Hughes blasted a slap shot from the left circle, sealing the win at 4-0.
The Canadiens faced difficulties when it came to converting opportunities, struggling hesitantly against the Devils' defense. Despite generating multiple attempts, they fell victim to Allen's resilience. With the team now losing seven of their last eight games, questions linger about their ability to find scoring from key players, including Caufield and Nick Suzuki, who have collectively found the back of the net only once during this stretch.
Head coach Martin St. Louis remarked on the team's lack of confidence and inability to capitalize on scoring chances. “We don’t have a lot of confidence right now,” he said. “You look at the game tonight, and that's not a 4-0 game. We weren’t able to go find a goal. I think it’s primarily lack of confidence.”
Sam Montembeault, the Canadiens' netminder, had a challenging afternoon as he allowed four goals on 22 shots. “I know I have to be consistent. I know I can do more and I will take this time to work on my game,” he acknowledged, aiming to improve during the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off where he is likely to help represent Canada.
Looking at the Devils, head coach Sheldon Keefe expressed satisfaction with Allen's performance, describing him as calm and composed, saying, “He looked like the veteran goaltender he is. That's what our team needed.” Allen's performance not only showcased his skill but also reinforced his role as the backbone of the team during this scrappy segment of the season.
The victory improves the Devils to 31-20-6 for the season and reinforces their competitive edge as they prepare for their upcoming match with the Dallas Stars on February 22. Meanwhile, the Canadiens' struggle has them watching their playoff hopes fade, with their current record at 25-25-5.
For both teams, this victory and loss mark not only significant moments in their season's narrative but also reflect the broader themes of resilience and the need for adjustability faced by sports teams. While Allen savors his performance against his former team, the Canadiens must regroup and strategize as they prepare for their next challenge.