Schneider makes 34 saves, Devils defeat Canadiens

NEWARK, N.J. -- Cory Schneider made 34 saves for the New Jersey Devils in a 2-1 win against the Montreal Canadiens at Prudential Center on Monday.

Schneider is 4-1-0 in his past five games after going 0-17-4 in his previous 24 regular-season games.
"I thought our first period was really strong; we got on the board first, built the lead," Schneider said. "They pushed back but nothing that we couldn't handle. Every time we got scrambly a little bit, we got it under control and I was able to see it, make the saves. I was just a complete group effort."
WATCH: [All Canadiens vs. Devils highlights]
Paul Byron scored, and Carey Price made 20 saves for the Canadiens (33-23-7), who hold the first wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes. They are seven points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs for third place in the Atlantic Division.
"We didn't start the game off well and that was the whole story of this game," Canadiens coach Claude Julien said. "There is not much more to say other than we needed to start on time."

Nathan Bastian and Kurtis Gabriel scored, and Connor Carrick had two assists for the Devils (25-30-8), who have won four of their past six games. Carrick, acquired by the Devils in a trade with the Dallas Stars for defenseman Ben Lovejoy on Saturday, was playing his first game for New Jersey.
"It was difficult early because I was trying to establish sort of a flow and some physicality," Carrick said. "We did a good job competing as a unit of five and this time of year the NHL it is such of polished game, you have to have good team structure. The guys need to be working and willing their way to impact a play. I thought we had 20 guys doing that."
Bastian scored his first NHL goal off a deflection from the slot to give the Devils a 1-0 lead 12:35 into the first period.
"Tipping pucks is one of those things that pretty much everyone works at," Bastian said. "Being a big guy, I pride myself in being big (6-foot-4, 205 pounds) and strong and good around the net. Sometimes when you tip it, it goes in and sometimes it doesn't. I was lucky enough to get it through Price's legs."
Gabriel made it 2-0 off a backhand at the left post 3:06 into the second period.

"It's an unbelievable feeling to score my second goal against Carey Price," Gabriel said. "That's the kind of goal you feel good getting to the net and being rewarded for your hard work on it. That's why you saw the exuberance and celebration. I didn't see my first goal (in a 4-0 win against the Ottawa Senators on Feb. 21) go in. To be able to contribute and get a game-winning goal in a big game against that team is great."
Byron scored his second shorthanded goal of the season off a breakaway 6:30 into the third period to pull the Canadiens within 2-1.
Earlier in the day, the Devils traded forward Marcus Johansson to the Boston Bruins for second-round in the 2019 NHL Draft and a fourth-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. Goalie Keith Kinkaid was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a fifth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.

They said it

"Every single game from here on out will be absolutely huge. We've got to find ways to win as many games as possible. We're going to try and win every game, obviously. We're going to leave it all out there. We're going to empty the tanks every night. There's a lot of character in this group so we'll find a way." -- Canadiens center Max Domi
"I'm thrilled to be here and super hungry to showcase myself within the team concept. That's what cool about coach John Hynes and his message to us. If you think you're going to come in this time of year and play selfish hockey, on a tryout mentality, there's going to be no reward for that. He's clear on what he expects from every player in the lineup." -- Devils defenseman Connor Carrick

Need to know

Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber had three shots on goal, three blocked shots, and two hits in 25:04 of ice time. ... Montreal went 0-for-4 on the power play. ... The Canadiens acquired forward Jordan Weal from the Arizona Coyotes in return for forward Michael Chaput. ... Devils center Travis Zajac went 13-for-22 on face-offs (59 percent). ... Devils forward Miles Wood sustained a lower-body injury in the first period and did not return, and forward John Quenneville sustained an undisclosed injury in the second period and didn't return. ... Devils defenseman Will Butcher was a late scratch because of a lower-body injury.

What's next

Canadiens:At the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET; FS-D, TSN2, RDS, NHL.TV)
Devils: Host the Calgary Flames on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; SN1, MSG+, NHL.TV)