Auston Matthews showcased his skills with a three-point period, tying him for third in franchise history for such performances, as the Toronto Maple Leafs secured a vital win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The win kept them close to the Atlantic Division-leading Florida Panthers. Jake Guentzel's 15th power-play goal of the season bolstered the Lightning, currently maintaining second place in the division.

Meanwhile, the New Jersey Devils' Jake Allen delivered an impressive 45-save performance against the Columbus Blue Jackets, denying them crucial points in the Eastern Conference Wild Card race. This was a tightly contested day in the NHL, with four out of five games decided by one or two goals. As the league progresses, the playoff race intensifies, particularly in the Eastern Conference where multiple teams vie for the final Wild Card spots.

The Montreal Canadiens are facing a critical decision on how to utilize their last salary retention slot. With players like Jake Allen and Jeff Petry still on the books, the team aims to maximize their return on potential trades involving Joel Armia, David Savard, and Christian Dvorak. There’s speculation around whether the Canadiens will retain salary for Armia's $3.4 million or Savard’s $3.5 million to entice suitors, especially given Dvorak’s $4.45 million cap hit as a UFA.

Dvorak, 29, has been suggested as a possible trade candidate, but his performance and financial considerations make it a delicate situation. Pagnotta believes Dvorak might remain with the Canadiens due to the balance of his production versus salary. Meanwhile, players like Armia and Savard could be more attractive to teams looking to bolster their rosters before the deadline.

Jake Allen showcased his exceptional skills as he led the New Jersey Devils to a commanding 4-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens with a 34-save shutout. This win marks Allen's second shutout against his former team in just two weeks, emphasizing his comfort and proficiency in Montreal.

Despite facing high-pressure situations, including a penalty shot that could have jeopardized his shutout, Allen remained composed, a testament to his veteran experience. Devils' head coach Sheldon Keefe praised Allen’s calm demeanor and ability to control the game from the crease.

Meanwhile, the Canadiens struggled offensively, managing only one combined goal from key players including Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki in their last five games. Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis expressed concern over the team's lack of confidence and called for stronger individual efforts to reverse their downward trend.

In a decisive 4-0 victory, Jake Allen led the New Jersey Devils to a shutout against his former team, the Montreal Canadiens, making 34 saves. Allen's performance included a critical penalty shot save against Owen Beck, marking his fourth shutout of the season in just 20 starts. Jesper Bratt and Jack Hughes each contributed a goal and an assist, while Paul Cotter and Luke Hughes also found the net.

The Canadiens struggled to find their rhythm, suffering their seventh loss in eight games. Despite regrouping after a slow start, they were thwarted by Allen’s stellar goaltending. Notably, Bratt expanded his scoring streak to eight games, demonstrating his crucial role in the Devils' offense.

Jake Allen excelled in goal, achieving his fourth shutout of the season as the New Jersey Devils defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-0. He made 34 saves, including a late penalty shot stop against Owen Beck. The offense was led by Jesper Bratt and Jack Hughes, each contributing a goal and an assist, while Paul Cotter and Luke Hughes added to the scoreline. With this victory, New Jersey capitalized on Montreal's struggles, marking the Canadiens' seventh loss in their last eight games.

Montreal's Sam Montembeault faced 22 shots, but the team couldn't find the net against Allen's stellar performance. Key moments included Allen's critical saves against Cole Caufield and Josh Anderson, which highlighted his dominance. Bratt's continued success, extending his point streak to eight games, showcased New Jersey's offensive depth.