Canadiens Conquer Devils in Homestand Finale

 

MONTREAL –  In the closing chapter of their four-game homestand at the Bell Centre, the Montreal Canadiens sought redemption against the New Jersey Devils, aiming to shake off the sting of consecutive losses. The Canadiens, who kick-started their homestand with a promising victory over the Jets but faltered against the Leafs and Blue Jackets, faced off against another formidable opponent. Despite the pressure, Montreal showcased resilience, clinching a 5-2 victory over the Devils, a refreshing turnaround from their recent skid.

 

Montreal's offensive assault was led by Trevor Linden, who opened the scoring with a goal at 12:43 in the first period, capitalizing on assists from Keith Tkachuk and Scott Niedermayer. The Canadiens maintained their momentum into the second period, with Glen Murray netting an unassisted goal early at 2:04, followed by Donald Audette widening the lead to 3-0, thanks to setups from Stephane Quintal and Tkachuk.

 

The Devils found themselves unable to breach Montreal's defenses until the third period when Garry Galley and Dallas Drake finally put New Jersey on the board. However, their efforts were overshadowed by Montreal's continued offensive push. Quintal and Jeff Nielsen found the back of the net, sealing the victory for the Canadiens.

 

The game was not without its tribulations for Montreal, notably the ejection of Sergei Fedorov in the previous match against the Blue Jackets. Despite this setback, Fedorov returned to the ice against the Devils, only for Andrew Cassels to exit the game due to an injury sustained in the third period.

 

Rick Wamsley, stepping in for Dwayne Roloson after a three-game stretch, delivered a solid performance, thwarting 18 of 20 shots from the Devils. His efforts were instrumental in Montreal's victory, underscoring the team's depth in goaltending.

 

Post-game, Canadiens' coach Larry Robinson lauded his team's effort and resilience, especially praising the contributions from the likes of Linden, Niedermayer, and Quintal. "Tonight was a testament to our team's character," Robinson remarked. "Bouncing back from tough losses and clinching a win against a top-tier team like the Devils shows what we're capable of."

 

Trevor Linden, reflecting on his performance and the team's victory, shared, "It's about staying focused and taking it one game at a time. Tonight, we played our game, stuck to our system, and it paid off. We're looking to carry this momentum forward."

 

As the Canadiens look ahead, the return to form against the Devils offers a much-needed boost. With the homestand now behind them, Montreal sets their sights on their next challenge as they hit the road for San Jose.

 

-The Montreal Gazette