Devils Shut Out Canadiens 3-0, Snap Montreal’s Eight-Game Win Streak

In a commanding performance, Jacob Markstrom secured his first shutout of the season, making 18 saves as the New Jersey Devils blanked the Montreal Canadiens 3-0 on Sunday night. This victory not only halted the Canadiens’ impressive eight-game winning streak but also came just hours after they clinched their second consecutive playoff spot.

The Canadiens celebrated their playoff berth earlier in the day when the Detroit Red Wings fell to the Minnesota Wild 5-4. With this achievement, Montreal became the first Canadian team to secure a playoff spot this season, marking a significant milestone in their campaign.

For the Devils, the goals came from Cody Glass, Timo Meier, and Connor Brown, as the team strives to maintain their slim hopes for postseason contention. Jack Hughes contributed notably with two assists, showcasing his playmaking abilities throughout the match.

New Jersey’s victory also extended their dominance in Montreal, marking their 11th consecutive win at the Bell Centre. This streak stands as the longest active run in the NHL against a single opponent, with the Canadiens last defeating the Devils at home on December 14, 2017, in a 2-1 overtime thriller.

Montreal’s Jacob Fowler faced 20 shots, making 17 saves in the loss. The Canadiens had just returned from a successful five-game road trip, which included a thrilling 4-3 shootout victory against the Devils the previous night.

One notable absence in the scoring column was Cole Caufield, who remained one goal shy of reaching the 50-goal milestone for the second consecutive game. He had previously netted his 48th and 49th goals against the New York Rangers on Thursday.

Meier opened the scoring for the Devils with a tap-in goal midway through the first period, following a shot from Hughes that ricocheted off the post after going through Fowler’s legs. Glass then added to the lead late in the second period, breaking through the neutral zone to beat Fowler. Brown capped off the scoring with an empty-net goal.

Looking ahead, the Devils will host the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night, while the Canadiens will welcome the Florida Panthers to the Bell Centre.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.