New Jersey 3, Montreal 2
When: 2:00 PM ET, Saturday, February 2, 2019
Where: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec
Referees:
Pierre Lambert, Tim Peel
Linesmen:
Derek Nansen, Pierre Racicot
Attendance:
21302
By Field Level Media
Nico Hischier scored twice -- first to force overtime, then 116 seconds into the extra frame -- as the visiting New Jersey Devils claimed a 3-2 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday afternoon.
On the winner, Hischier gained the puck at center ice, worked his way to the net and ripped a blocker-side shot past Canadiens goalie Antti Niemi for his 16th goal of the season.
Goalie Mackenzie Blackwood made 37 saves for the Devils, who have won two of three games. Blackwood had some good fortune, too, as Montreal's Max Domi hit the post in the first few seconds of overtime.
Twice, the hosts couldn't hold leads. Montreal's Jesperi Kotkaniemi opened the scoring 5:22 into the game with his seventh goal of the season. After Jordie Benn's point shot was blocked, Artturi Lehkonen made a nifty pass to Kotkaniemi in the slot, and he wired a top-corner wrist shot for the tally.
Will Butcher's power-play goal with 43.1 seconds left in opening frame drew New Jersey even. While the Devils were on a five-on-three advantage, Kyle Palmieri fed Butcher the puck in the high slot, and he blasted a top-shelf one-timer for his third goal of the year.
Phillip Danault restored Montreal's lead with 3:27 remaining in the second period. Right after the Devils killed a penalty, Danault cruised to the front of the net as Jeff Petry sent a point shot, and his deflection slipped just inside the post for his ninth goal of the season.
However, Hischier again tied the score at 11:26 of the third period. As the Devils were buzzing, a loose puck came to Hischier at the doorstep, and he snapped a shot over the Niemi's glove.
Niemi, who started because Carey Price couldn't play after opting out of the NHL All-Star festivities, made 24 saves for the Canadiens, who are on a 5-1-1 run.
--Field Level Media
Top Game Performances
| New Jersey |
|
Montreal |
|
Nico Hischier 2 |
Points |
Phillip Danault 1 |
|
Nico Hischier 2 |
Goals |
Phillip Danault 1 |
|
Marcus Johansson 1 |
Assists |
Jordie Benn 1 |
|
Will Butcher 1 |
Power Play Goals |
N/A |
|
N/A |
Short Handed Goals |
N/A |
|
Mackenzie Blackwood .949 |
Save Percentage |
Antti Niemi .889 |
|
Mackenzie Blackwood 37 |
Saves |
Antti Niemi 24 |
Team Stats Summary
| Team |
Shots |
Goals |
Power Play |
Penalty Kill |
Penalty Mins |
Face Offs Won |
| New Jersey
|
27 |
3 |
1-3 |
3-3 |
6 |
24 |
| Montreal
|
39 |
2 |
0-3 |
2-3 |
6 |
26 |
Upcoming Games
-
Montreal will play their next game at home against Edmonton. The Canadiens have a W/L % of .429 after a win and .667 after a loss.
-
New Jersey will play their next game at home against Los Angeles. The Devils have a W/L % of .400 after a win and .387 after a loss.
For more information, contact us