Bedeviled Habs seek rare home win vs. New Jersey

In their last visit on Jan. 25, the New Jersey Devils became the first NHL team ever to win nine straight games against the Canadiens in Montreal.

The Devils will try to make it an even 10 when they visit the slumping Canadiens for a Saturday matinee.

New Jersey has won both meetings this season, including the 4-3 victory last month when Jack Hughes scored on a breakaway with 54 seconds remaining in overtime. The Devils also defeated the Canadiens 5-3 in Newark, N.J., on Nov. 7.

It's the last game before the two-week break for the 4 Nations Face-Off for New Jersey, while it's the first game of a home back-to-back for Montreal that concludes Sunday afternoon against Tampa Bay.

New Jersey, third in the Metropolitan Division, comes in off a 3-1 home loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday, its third loss in the last five games. The Devils were outshot 40-15 in the contest, including 25-9 over the first two periods, and heard their share of boos during the game.

"We had times we were OK, but OK is not good enough," Devils forward Stefan Noesen said. "Hopefully we can learn from this and understand that's what it takes to win. We were doubled in shots, way too cute. At some point we have to figure this out."

New Jersey coach Sheldon Keefe gave credit to a veteran Vegas team that was out to break a four-game losing streak.

"I don't think intensity was an issue at all," Keefe said. "I just thought (Vegas) played a smarter game. Bigger, smarter, more skilled.

"It's a real team. It's a (2023) Stanley Cup champion team, and you've got to adapt your game. You've got to find a way."

Despite the loss, the Devils left for Montreal on Friday with a six-point lead over the Columbus Blue Jackets for third place in the division.

Montreal, which has lost six of its last seven games (1-5-1), returns home after a 1-2-0 California trip that concluded with a 6-3 loss at Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The Canadiens, who never led in the contest, pulled within 4-3 after Logan Mailloux's goal with 6:23 remaining but Kevin Fiala answered for the Kings with his second goal of the period just 35 seconds later. Trevor Moore sealed the win for Los Angeles with an empty-netter.

"I think we were, honestly, just playing catchup for that whole game," Montreal center Jake Evans said. "We had some bright spots, but when you're chasing the game, sometimes your defensive game starts to lag, and that's what happened."

It was the second game of a back-to-back for Montreal that began up the coast with a 4-3 victory over San Jose. Joel Armia scored a short-handed goal with 4:04 left in regulation for the game-winner.

Montreal, six points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, is just 13-10-4 at home this season and has lost its last three home contests, getting outscored 12-4 in the process.

--Field Level Media