On Sunday, April 5, the New Jersey Devils traveled north to Canada to take on the Montréal Canadiens. The two teams just faced each other at the Prudential Center the night before, but they were back again at the Bell Centre to close out the season series. With the Canadiens’ win on Saturday, the season series was tied.
The Devils struck early with a goal halfway into the first period. The Devils and the Canadiens each had a power play chance, but neither managed to score. The Devils increased their lead at the end of the second period. The third period was a gutsy effort, with the Canadiens taking seven penalty minutes and the Devils receiving 43. Despite the Canadiens’ power-play opportunities, the next goal was scored by Connor Brown on an empty net towards the end of the period. Montreal couldn’t put the puck in the net, and the Devils left Canada with a 3-0 win and the win in the season series.
Glass Kept the Devils’ Spirits High
Timo Meier already started the scoring off for the Devils in the first period, but they wanted to keep their lead. Both the Devils and the Canadiens received a power-play opportunity in the second period, but neither capitalized on the extra-man advantage.
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Fewer than two minutes were remaining in the second period, and Cody Glass gained control of the puck in the neutral zone. He sped through the zone and into the Devils’ offensive zone to get up close to the net. He fired a shot from the faceoff circle to put the Devils up by two.
This late goal in the second was a huge confidence boost for the Devils. They already had the lead, but by increasing it, Glass gave New Jersey that extra insurance they needed.
The team was in high spirits as they entered the third period, making sure to defend one another. Brenden Dillon stepped up to defend Jack Hughes after he received a heavy hit, which resulted in 17 penalty minutes for him: a two-minute minor for instigator, a five-minute major for fighting, and a game misconduct. Since the game misconduct was called with seven minutes remaining, Dillon was out for the remainder of the game.
No matter which way you spin the end of this game, it was a full team effort to pull out the win. Glass’ goal kept morale high and likely sparked his team mentally.
Markstrom Earns His First Shutout of the Season
Jacob Markstrom stopped all 18 shots from Montreal, bringing home a huge shutout victory. This win marked his first shutout of the season, the 25th of his career. Both he and Jake Allen now have a shutout each for the season.
Markstrom has fluctuated in his performance with the Devils throughout the season, but this game proved that he is finding his edge as the season draws to a close. With this win, the Devils picked up their 40th of the season, but it won’t be enough to send them to the playoffs. Every win is still a great personal victory for the team, so they should still be proud of their performance.
Devils Played a Complete Game
There have been games this season where the Devils have played a full 60 minutes of regulation, but they haven’t been present the entire time. In this game, they looked like a solidified team and played their hearts out the entire time. Between Markstrom’s goaltending, a goal in each period, and the five different players getting on the scoresheet, the Devils played a solid game.
The Devils also extended their win streak against the Canadiens in Montreal. They have won the last 11 games that the two teams have played at the Bell Centre. Despite losing to the Canadiens the day prior, the Devils kept their Montreal win streak alive.
They just need to regroup now and try to find a win in their final five games to close out the season on a high note.
Devils Head Back to New Jersey
The Devils will return to the Prudential Center and host the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday, April 7.
