First period
- It was an interesting decision not to start Jake Allen in this game. We’ll see if the move pays off for Sheldon Keefe.
- The Canadiens seem to be using the dump-in as their entry strategy early.
- Juraj Slafkovský needs a new batch of sticks. His twig snaps again after his rebound miss last game. That one cost him a goal, this one plays a part in a goal against by Jesper Bratt.
- Mike Matheson’s shot hits the crossbar. So many pings recently.
- Montreal has two power plays to get that early goal back, but can’t score. Not many shots from either unit as they try to set up both Caufield and Heineman.
- The puck gets turned over in the corner by Kaiden Guhle trying to carry it up the wall versus two forecheckers, and Ondrej Palat is open at the bottom of the circle to collect a pass and make it 2-0.
- Slafkovský’s stick holds together for a shot from a similar place to Palat’s, but Markstrom makes the save.
- The blade flies of Joel Armia’s stick as he attempts a one-timer.
- For some reason, Guhle decided to cross-check Palat while the Devil doesn’t have the puck. He’ll go to the box for the final minute.
- The two goals are tough to take, but the fact that Montreal only mustered six shots is more concerning. Hopefully they haven’t given up on this game already.
Second period
- Jake Evans opens the period with a short-handed chance. Markstrom makes a short-side save.
- The Devils turn the puck over at their blue line to an aggressive Jayden Struble, and this time the Canadiens take advantage. Alex Newhook ends up with the goal.
- The Canadiens really wanted to score another goal, and that means a three-on-one versus Lane Hutson. Hutson does well to break up the pass and prevent a goal.
- …But only temporarily. The Canadiens get all five of their skaters in one corner of the defensive zone, and Jonas Siegenthaler has an acre of space to get his shot off and make it 3-1.
- There were no elements of man-to-man or zone defence on that play. It was just a panicked attack on the puck.
- Montembeault makes a big save on a two-on-one that developed after Matheson got stepped around high in the zone.
- Brendan Gallagher continues his hot streak with his sixth goal of the season. He just skates through the Devils’ coverage to get to his office.
- If Montreal’s top-six players were in top form, this production from Gallagher would be a major bonus. Now, it’s critical just to keep them in games.
Third period
- Struble’s good positioning prevents a pass across the top of the crease with his stick.
- It looks like there are new defence pairings now. Hutson is playing with Struble.
- Heineman misses an open net that would have tied the game. New Jersey makes it 4-2 moments later as Jack Hughes completes a two-on-one.
- Welcome back, Alex Twohook! What an incredible individual rush, fighting off a hook and squeaking one in.
- This is a good development for him and the team.
- Slafkovský is called for holding Nico Hischier. Both be and Martin St-Louis are yelling at the ref.
- Can the penalty kill tie the game?
- Armia gets the closest on a one-one-one rush. Seriously, they should just play the whole game with four skaters.
- Cole Caufield tries to run some interference at the blue line. Timo Meier leaps about a foot in the air and goes down. Who knew Caufield was that strong?
- Matheson gets called for a hook in the offensive zone. He’s perplexed by how that call was made.
- David Savard blows Dawson Mercer up behind the net with a thunderous hit.
- Montembeault makes a huge save on a rare breakdown for the PK. Once again, too many players got sucked into a puck battle along the boards and left the slot open.
- This game has gotten very physical all of a sudden.
- Montembeault is off to the bench with two minutes to play.
- Huston gives the puck back to Matheson at the blue line while he’s under pressure, and the puck ends up getting out, and eventually into Montreal net.
- Habs lose a fifth game in a row, 5-3.
EOTP 3 Stars
3) More and people players starting to find their legs
2) I missed these poems
1) He really didn’t think that one through
