MTL-NJD-PREVIEW-JAN25

NEW JERSEY DEVILS (27-17-6) vs. MONTREAL CANADIENS (24-20-4)

The New Jersey Devils visit the Montreal Canadiens for the first time this season, to begin a two-game road trip.

You can watch on MSGSN2 or listen on the Devils Hockey Network.

Read below for your game preview and pre-game story below. Tonight's game is presented by Blue Nail Exteriors.

WATCH & LISTEN

TV: MSGSN2 

RADIO: Devils Hockey Network 

Jake Allen makes his return to Montreal as the Devils get set to take on the Canadiens.

GAME-DAY VIDEO
Devils Minute: Devils Visit Montreal
Pre-Game Player Interviews: Lazar 
Pre-Game Interview: Sheldon Keefe

MORNING SKATE RECAP

MONTRÉAL, QC - The Devils held an optional skate on Saturday in Montreal.

Ondrej Palat, Curtis Lazar, Paul Cotter, Jesper Bratt, Nathan Bastian, Brenden Dillon, Brett Pesce, Kurtis MacDermid, Jake Allen and Isaac Poulter. were the players on the ice at Bell Centre.

Allen will start in net, up against his former team, while Poulter will be the backup. This will be Allen's first return to Montreal since he was traded to New Jersey at last year's trade deadline.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed that despite not practicing yesterday, dealing with swelling in his finger from stitches he received last game, Jack Hughes is expected to play tonight against the Canadiens.

Take Care of One Another

The Devils won't have the services of Jacob Markstrom for the next 4 to 6 weeks, but there is no panic in the room about it. Of course, losing a top player like Markstrom is always disappointing, but as head coach Sheldon Keefe explains, this is all about the team and how they pick each other up in these moments.

"You don’t make a bigger deal of it than it is, first thing," Sheldon Keefe said. "Because ultimately, you put together a team and structure that is bigger and more important than any one player, so that’s the first thing. It’s an innate thing, that players recognize, they’ve got to be better and all of that to help recover. Sometimes it’s about injuries, but sometimes guys just aren’t playing well and the rest, as a group, picks them up. That’s really what you want. It’s a good opportunity for our team to recognize and accept that challenge."

Against the Bruins, particularly as Allen took to the net early in the second, the Devils played some of their best hockey of late, particularly defensively. A good reminder of what they can accomplish when everyone is dialed in.

“Every team has their structure but I think that we’ve shown that when we do it, how strong we can be defensively," Curtis Lazar said. "And that makes the job for any goalie a lot easier. Lots of predictability, know where the shots are coming from and the trust of knowing that when they make the first save we’re going to take care of the rest.”

Saturday Night in Montreal

There's something unique about a Saturday night in Montreal, playing at the Bell Centre. Take it from Keefe who has been a part of many, many matchups from his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“We’ve got a lot of guys who are excited to play, Saturday night in Montreal, Hockey Night in Canada and all that sort of thing. Some of the things that you might take for granted on the other side," Keefe said, "I love this building, the city, everything that comes with it. But it’s real special being here on a Saturday, for sure.”

The Canadiens have been making a strong push in the last six weeks, surging up the Atlantic Division standings, just one point out of a Wild Card spot. They've been one of the hotter teams in the league, despite their most recent loss against the Detroit Red Wings: they're 7-2-1 in their last 10 games.

“Be ready to play, the team is feeling it, you get that momentum, that confidence it’s a big thing, it doesn’t matter who you’re playing against," Curtis Lazar said of the opponent tonight. "We talk about that structure, play to our system, play to our strengths, the stronger we are defensively, the less time we spend in our own zone, the more pressure we put on them which will lead to more turnovers and that’s going to lead to our opportunities. Just continue to be who we are, Saturday night in Montreal, it’s always a fun one. We’ll be ready to go.”

THE SCOOP

The New Jersey Devils will play their first game without goaltender Jacob Markstrom on Saturday night in Montreal. Markstrom was injured in the Devils' last game against the Bruins, and after undergoing imaging on his knee, it was determined that his MCL sprain would keep him out for 4 to 6 weeks. In his absence, the club has recalled goaltender Isaac Poulter from Utica, who joined the team for their two-game road trip in Montreal and Philadelphia.

Captain Nico Hischier continues to lead the charge in goal scoring for New Jersey with 22 on the season and was recently reunited with Jesper Bratt on his wing. Head coach Sheldon Keefe switched up his lines in their last game, looking for an offensive spark and the club delivered. The new line of Timo Meier, Justin Dowling and Dawson Mercer accounted for five points collectively against Boston. Jake Allen came in cold off the bench in the second period after Markstrom was injured and backstopped the club to victory, turning away all 16 shots he faced in the 36:51 he played.

The Canadiens have been one of the hottest teams in the league over the last month, despite a loss to Detroit on Thursday night. Montreal, with its 7-2-1 record in its last 10 games, is making a push for one of the two Wild Card spots in the East.

The Habs are currently one point out of a wild spot, with 52 points. Tampa Bay and Columbus currently occupy the final two playoff spots, while Ottawa and Montreal are both just a single point behind.

The club is led by captain Nick Suzuki and his 47 points, while Cole Caufield leads the charge in goal scoring with 24. Montreal also has one of the top rookies in the league this season: 20-year-old Lane Hutson, who has scored 39 points through 48 games this year (3g-36a).

WHO’S HOT

Devils: Nico Hischier is coming off a three-point night against the Bruins (1g-2a) and has four goals in his last five games. Hischier is just five points shy of 400 career points.

Canadiens: Patrick Laine has been a power play dynamo since returning to the Canadiens lineup from a preseason injury. Ten of his 12 goals scored this season are courtesy of the power play and he is contributing at nearly a point-per-game pace with 18 in 20 games this season.

INJURIES

Devils: Markstrom (MCL sprain, out 4-6 weeks), Haula (ankle, day-to-day), Hatakka (shoulder, IR)

Canadiens: Heineman (hit by car, out 3-4 weeks), Reinbacher (knee, IR, non-roster)

REGULAR-SEASON RESULTS

STATS LEADERS

STATS LEADERS
DEVILS
CANADIENS
Goals
Hischier, 22
Caufield, 24
Assists
Bratt, J. Hughes, 37
Hutson, 36
Points
J. Hughes, 55
Suzuki, 47

GAME NOTES

  • Head coach Sheldon Keefe and Montreal head coach Martin St. Louis were teammates with the Tampa Bay Lightning for parts of three seasons between 2000-2003.
  • New Jersey enters Saturday’s contest with 41 power-play goals, which ranked tied for second in the NHL (DET) behind Winnipeg’s 43 PPG.
  • The Devils are 8-0-0 against Montreal since April 1, 2018. The last time that the Devils dropped a contest at Montreal was a 2-1 overtime loss on Dec. 14, 2017.
  • The last time that the Devils lost in regulation at Montreal was Dec. 8, 2016, after a 5-2 defeat.