The defeats pile up and the mental challenge becomes more and more difficult for the Canadian players.
Nico Hischier broke the deadlock by scoring on the power play with 6:27 left in regulation and the New Jersey Devils defeated the Montreal team 4-3.
The Devils had scored just two goals in 46 power play opportunities in their previous 14 games.
This goal undermined another honorable effort from the Canadian, who despite everything suffered a fifth loss in a row.
“I think that recently, we deserve better,” said head coach Martin St-Louis. It’s a mental challenge, because the match is there. He lacks a bit of finishing to separate himself a little from the opponent. It’s not an easy league. But in terms of collective play, commitment, work ethic, we are there. »
“We must reverse the trend,” he added. We can’t just deserve better. We can’t just play well and be okay with it and lose. It takes more. »
Brendan Gallagher and Nick Suzuki, twice, scored for the Canadian (22-28-8). Jake Allen made 20 saves.
“At this time of the season, points are crucial for a lot of teams as was the case for our opponent today,” Allen said. Every match is a battle. »
“We also want to finish the season strong and find ways to win games to gain experience,” he added.
Timo Meier had a goal and an assist, while Ondrej Palat and Jesper Bratt were the other scorers for the Devils (29-24-4). Tyler Toffoli had two assists and Nico Daws stopped 23 shots.
Defender Jayden Struble was left out. He suffered a lower-body injury in the third period of Thursday’s game at Pittsburgh. His state of health is assessed on a daily basis.
Johnathan Kovacevic replaced Struble in the Canadian’s lineup.
“We’ve been playing good hockey for a few games and we’re not getting the result we were hoping for,” Kovacevic said. It’s like that. We need to be mentally strong and make sure this lesson serves us well in the future. »
The Habs will present their annual skills competition on Sunday morning. It will play its next game on Tuesday, when it hosts the Arizona Coyotes.
Always the same story
There were few scoring opportunities in the first period.
In front of the Canadian’s net, Allen stood up in front of Jack Hughes. At the other end of the ice, Daws closed the door on Suzuki late in the period.
Gallagher finally opened the scoring 3:06 into the second period. He scored on a one-timer after a pass from Jake Evans.
On the streak, Gallagher collected a 412e point with the Canadian and he joined Serge Savard at 35e rank in the team’s history in this regard.
Meier answered 2:17 later for the Devils. He took advantage of a pass shot from Kevin Bahl and only had to deflect the puck into the opening.
Suzuki gave the Canadian the lead again with 6:53 left in the second period. He received a pass from Cole Caufield and beat Daws glove side from the faceoff circle to the goalie’s left.
Jesse Ylönen beat Daws from the same spot moments later, but the puck hit the post.
Palat then sent everyone back to square one before returning to the locker room for the second intermission. He took advantage of a return to the slot after a shot from Simon Nemec and beat Allen with 2:10 left in the period.
Both teams got a breakaway early in the third period, but Dawson Mercer hit the post for the Devils, while Suzuki was unable to get a shot off.
Suzuki then found himself in the dungeon. Allen stopped the Devils’ first five volleys, before finally giving in against Hischier. The latter overwhelmed defender Mike Matheson before slipping the puck between the pads of the Canadian goalie.
Josh Anderson wasted a chance to level the score, hitting the post while alone in front of Daws.
Bratt scored an important insurance goal with 3:27 left, shortly after Meier blocked a powerful shot from Arber Xhekaj.
Suzuki cut the deficit to one goal with 1:51 remaining after Allen was replaced by an extra attacker.
Alex Newhook got the Canadian’s last good chance, but he missed the target.