In a thrilling overtime victory, Jack Hughes scored the decisive goal, leading the New Jersey Devils to a 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens. The game saw Jake Allen make 29 saves in his first regular-season start since his trade from Montreal to New Jersey in March. The Devils, experiencing a resurgence after a tough stretch, secured their second consecutive win.

The offensive output was distributed among Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Tomas Tatar, showcasing a balanced attack. For the Canadiens, Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Alexandre Carrier found the back of the net, but it wasn't enough to prevent their first back-to-back losses since December 2024.

Rookie Jakub Dobes made 40 saves for the Canadiens but faced relentless pressure, culminating in Hughes’ overtime goal. The Devils were without their starting goalie, Jacob Markstrom, sidelined for weeks due to an MCL strain, yet they maintained a strong performance, especially in a venue where they’ve now won nine straight games since April 2018.

Jack Hughes clinched the victory for the New Jersey Devils with an overtime goal, securing a 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens. This match marked a significant achievement for Jake Allen, who returned to his former team as a Devil and made 29 crucial saves. The Devils, recovering from a poor stretch of just two wins in their previous eleven games, showcased a stronger offense with goals from Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Tomas Tatar. In contrast, the Canadiens faced consecutive losses for the first time in nearly a year despite goals from Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Alexandre Carrier. The game also highlighted Jakub Dobes, who made 40 saves but suffered his first NHL loss.

The Devils played without their starting goalie, Jacob Markstrom, who is expected to be sidelined for weeks due to an injury. Notably, the Canadiens' top line dominated the ice, contributing to all three goals scored against New Jersey. Despite the defeat, the Canadiens demonstrated resilience, with Carrier scoring his first goal since his trade to Montreal. The Devils, meanwhile, extended their winning streak at the Bell Centre, marking their ninth consecutive victory in that arena.

Jack Hughes netted the game-winning goal in overtime, leading the New Jersey Devils to a hard-fought 4-3 victory against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night. The Devils, who had struggled recently with a record of two wins in their last 13 games, found momentum with this win, having lost nine of their last eleven. Jake Allen, making his debut against the Canadiens post-trade, recorded 29 saves, while Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Tomas Tatar also found the net for New Jersey. The Canadiens, despite a strong performance from their top line, suffered their first back-to-back losses since mid-December.

Montreal's offense was highlighted by goals from Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Alexandre Carrier, with Carrier scoring his first goal since being traded from the Nashville Predators. Rookie Jakub Dobes made 40 saves but faced defeat in his first career loss. The game featured a tense third period where the Canadiens equalized early on, but Hughes secured the win for the Devils with his overtime goal. Notably, New Jersey maintained a nine-game winning streak at the Bell Centre, underscoring their strong historical performance in Montreal.

The Montreal Canadiens triumphed over the Utah Hockey Club with a 5-3 victory, continuing their strong season with eight wins in the last ten games. Kirby Dach led the charge with two goals, while contributions came from Mike Matheson, Patrik Laine, and Cole Caufield, who netted his team-leading 24th goal. Lane Hutson impressed with three assists, and Alexandre Carrier added two, while goaltender Sam Montembeault made 22 saves.

Utah's efforts included goals from Logan Cooley, Josh Doan, and Nick Bjugstad, with Clayton Keller assisting twice. Karel Vejmelka recorded 21 saves in net. The game saw John Marino make his debut for Utah after a long recovery from back surgery, having missed 42 games since his move from New Jersey.

Despite a rocky start, where Montreal allowed a goal during a 5-on-3 power play in the opening minutes, they improved to finish with a shot advantage of 26-25. The Canadiens will look to maintain their momentum against the Dallas Stars, while Utah prepares to host the New York Rangers.

Kent Hughes, the general manager of the Montreal Canadiens, is emphasizing prudence as his team enjoys a resurgence, moving from the bottom of the NHL standings to playoff contention. After a dismal start, where the Canadiens recorded just 8 wins in their first 24 games, they've turned the season around with a 19-18-3 record and an impressive run, winning eight of their last ten outings.

This turnaround aligns with Hughes' strategic shift, trading for veteran defenseman Alexandre Carrier, which has bolstered the team's defensive strength. Hughes remains cautious about the trade deadline, indicating that the team's performance over the next 22 games will influence whether they become buyers or sellers.