Canadiens Lineup

Jonathan Drouin  – Phillip Danault – Brendan Gallagher

Tomas Tatar – Max Domi – Paul Byron

Artturi Lehkonen – Jesperi Kotkaniemi – Joel Armia 

Charles Hudon  – Matthew Peca – Nicolas Deslauriers

Victor Mete – Shea Weber

Mike Reilly – Jeff Petry

Brett Kulak – Jordie Benn

Antti Niemi – Michael McNiven

Kenny Agostino, Michael Chaput

Andrew Shaw

Suspension

Carey Price (ASG)

Game Report

It was unclear how the Canadiens would react to such a long layoff. The answer came quickly after puck drop. Montreal came out with energy and speed on home ice led by the Finnish line. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Artturi Lehkonen and Joel Armia dominated shift after shift throughout the game.

Just over five minutes in, Kotkaniemi opened the scoring as he rifled a shot past Devils rookie netminder Mackenzie Blackwood. Coming into this game, New Jersey was just 2-14-2 this season when their opponent scores first.

But the Devils scored a late goal with just 44 seconds left in the first period as Will Butcher drifted a point shot past Antti Niemi with New Jersey enjoying a 5-on-3 man advantage.

Montreal thoroughly dominated the second period outshooting New Jersey 18-4. The Canadiens held a 2-1 lead heading to the second intermission.  Coming into the game, the Devils had a 2-20-2 record when trailing after 40 minutes. 

But the momentum changed with an ineffective Canadiens power-play in the third period. And Nico Hischier took advantage of a Niemi turnover and weak goaltending to give the Devils the overtime win. Claude Julien stated the obvious post-game when he said that Niemi would have liked to have the last goal back.

The difference in this game was pretty easy to determine. The Canadiens failed to take advantage of their opportunities.

The Habs were not successful on the power-play, the Devils were 1-for-3.

The Canadiens do not have a top end scoring threat, while Nico Hischier scored twice for New Jersey including the game-winner in overtime.

Montreal did not get quality goaltending, while Mackenzie Blackwood was solid for the Devils in earning a first star selection.

And despite a strong effort at times for Montreal, they could not close this one out.

Plus / Minus

▲  Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Joel Armia, Artturi Lehkonen, Jeff Petry

▼  Antti Niemi, Victor Mete, Jonathan Drouin