Canadiens Face Devils in Crucial Road Game, Eyeing First Win in Four
The Montreal Canadiens are set to kick off a crucial four-game road trip with a matchup against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center in Newark tonight. After a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Calgary Flames on Tuesday, the Habs are desperate to end their four-game losing streak and get back on track. The game will begin at 7:00 PM ET, and it is an important test for Martin St-Louis’ squad as they look to regroup after a tough stretch.
New Jersey comes into this game with a solid 8-5-2 record, sitting in second place in the Metropolitan Division. They’ve made significant changes to their roster this season, bringing in key players like Brendan Dillon, Jacob Markström, and former Canadiens Jake Allen and Johnathan Kovacevic. After a wild road trip through Western Canada, which saw them shut out the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers but fall to the Calgary Flames, the Devils will be looking to bounce back on home ice. Their performance has been impressive overall, particularly their potent offense, averaging 3.53 goals per game this season.
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For the Canadiens, their recent form has been far from ideal. Despite some strong individual performances, they’ve struggled to find consistent offensive production, averaging just two goals per game in their last four outings. Head coach Martin St-Louis will be looking for a stronger offensive showing as the team heads into this game against a high-scoring Devils team. If the Canadiens hope to compete, they’ll need to capitalize on their opportunities and generate more offense, something they’ve been missing lately.
One player to keep an eye on is rookie Lane Hutson, who is still searching for his first NHL goal. Hutson has been a consistent presence on the ice, hitting the post multiple times in recent games, and it’s only a matter of time before he breaks through. On the Devils’ side, captain Nico Hischier is having a stellar season, currently tied for the league lead with 10 goals. His playmaking ability and leadership will be crucial for the Devils as they aim to continue their strong start to the season.
Special teams could play a pivotal role in this game. New Jersey’s power play has been a significant threat, ranking among the best in the league. The Canadiens will need to find a way to counter that, as they’ve struggled on the penalty kill, allowing the Devils to capitalize on previous matchups. This battle in special teams could prove decisive, especially given how close these teams have been in recent contests.
As Montreal heads into this game, the team will also be without forward Oliver Kapanen, who was loaned to the Swedish Hockey League. However, the Canadiens have called up Lucas Condotta from the AHL’s Laval Rocket, and he will be with the team in New Jersey. With a combination of youthful energy and veteran leadership, the Canadiens will need a complete team effort to take down the Devils and snap their losing streak.
The stage is set for an exciting game as the Canadiens look to regroup on the road. With both teams coming in with something to prove, tonight’s matchup promises to be a hard-fought battle. Montreal will need to improve their offensive output, limit mistakes, and take advantage of any power-play opportunities to get back into the win column.
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