In a gripping match on Thursday night, the Montreal Canadiens suffered their second straight defeat, falling 4-3 to the New Jersey Devils in an intense overtime battle at the Prudential Center. The game highlighted both teams' fierce competitiveness but also exposed ongoing issues for the Canadiens, casting doubt on their ability to sustain momentum this season.
The Canadiens began the season strong, holding a 9-3-2 record before this game. However, their recent play against the Devils revealed defensive weaknesses that could pose challenges ahead. Early in the match, Montreal quickly fell behind as Cody Glass capitalized on a defensive error, scoring within two minutes with a precise shot that left goaltender Jakub Dobes with little chance to react.
This early goal echoed a similar situation in their prior game versus the Philadelphia Flyers, where the Canadiens also conceded an early goal.
Despite a shaky start, the Canadiens fought back swiftly. Noah Dobson's shot, initially not threatening, deflected off Kirby Dach and found the net, illustrating how a bit of fortune can impact hockey outcomes.
"A Rocky Start for the Canadiens"
This game underscores the Canadiens' battle to overcome early setbacks and maintain control against strong opponents.
Overall, the Canadiens' resilience is clear, but their defensive lapses need addressing if they hope to turn their season around.
Author’s summary: The Canadiens showed resilience in a tough overtime loss, but defensive lapses threaten their season despite a promising start.