Kapanen’s Shootout Heroics Push Canadiens Past Devils, 8th Straight Win
Montreal Canadiens fans are buzzing after a thrilling 4-3 shootout victory over the New Jersey Devils, marking Montreal’s eighth consecutive win. Oliver Kapanen emerged as the decisive hero, slotting a clean wrist shot past Devils goalie Jake Allen in the fifth round of the shootout. It’s a victory that not only secured two crucial points but also pushed the Canadiens to 100 points for the season, their first century mark since 2016-17.
The game was a rollercoaster from the start. Montreal jumped to a commanding 3-0 lead, powered by early goals from Jayden Struble, Ivan Demidov and Lane Hutson. Struble’s unassisted goal set the tone, giving the Canadiens the edge they would cling to through the first period. The power play proved effective, with Demidov scoring at 8:12 of the first period, showing Montreal’s precision and timing in special teams situations.
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But New Jersey would not back down. Timo Meier sparked a furious comeback late in regulation, scoring to bring the Devils within two. Dawson Mercer and Jack Hughes kept the pressure on, with Hughes connecting on a short-handed goal, his second of the season, to bring New Jersey tantalizingly close at 3-2. The Devils killed off a double-minor and then drew even at 3-3 with just over two minutes remaining, forcing the dramatic shootout that would ultimately decide the game.
Cole Caufield, who assisted on two goals, came agonizingly close to his 50th goal of the season, a milestone Montreal hasn’t seen a player reach in over thirty years. He’ll have another shot when these two teams meet again in Montreal. For the Devils, this result was a setback but showed their resilience and the firepower of stars like Meier, Hughes and Mercer, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Montreal’s win underscores the Canadiens’ momentum as they close in on the top of the division. Their depth scoring, reliable goaltending from Jakub Dobes with 35 saves and timely contributions from younger players like Hutson and Struble highlight a team peaking at the right moment. Meanwhile, the Devils are reminded of the urgency as the playoffs approach, knowing every point counts.
The stakes remain high as these rivals face off again Sunday in Montreal. Fans worldwide will be watching closely, anticipating more drama, milestones and momentum swings. Stay tuned and keep following the action—this rivalry is far from over and the playoff implications could shape the rest of the NHL season.
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