The Montreal Canadiens (45-22-10) had their eight-game winning streak snapped in a 3-0 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Sunday at the Bell Centre.

The loss came in their first of a four-game homestand following an undefeated five-game road trip. It was the fourth time the Habs have been shut out this season, and the first time since Jan. 10 against the Detroit Red Wings.

In terms of clinching a playoff berth, the loss didn’t matter. With the Red Wings losing to the Minnesota Wild earlier that afternoon, the Habs will play in the postseason for a second consecutive season.

Seeking his 50th goal of the season, forward Cole Caufield was held goalless for a second straight game. He also saw a five-game point streak come to an end. Caufield’s teammates tried to set him up with history, but the sniper couldn’t beat Devils goalie Jacob Markstrom on three shots. His best chances came in the third period.

Caufield vented his frustrations over not being able to bulge the twine.

Timo Meier scored the game-tying goal for the Devils in Saturday’s 4-3 shootout win for the Habs, and he continued where he left off by putting the Devils on the board at 10:47 of the first period.

The Devils extended their lead with 1:48 left in the second period. Cody Glass split the defence and beat goaltender Jacob Fowler to give the away team a two-goal advantage. The Habs had only eight shots on goal after 40 minutes.

Frustrations boiled over in the third period. In the opening minute of the final frame, forward Zachary Bolduc hit Luke Hughes, which caused both sides to react accordingly. Former Hab Johnathan Kovacevic got a 10-minute misconduct.

Later in the period, it was the elder Hughes brother, Jack, who took a big hit from Josh Anderson with some assistance from Arber Xhekaj. That led to another kerfuffle. Anderson dropped the gloves with Brenden Dillon.

Jack Hughes gets open-ice hit by Josh Anderson and Brenden Dillon responds! ?

Hughes appears to be okay and appreciative of his teammate! pic.twitter.com/ZbRzbMbPhR

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 6, 2026

Connor Brown scored with Fowler pulled to seal Montreal’s first loss since March 19.

It was also the team’s first home game since March 26, and while the fans were excited to potentially witness the club have its first 50-goal scorer since 1990, there was a collective letdown for the team after a successful road trip and clinching the playoffs earlier in the day.

The game was their eighth in the last 13 days.

Hockey Stat Cards’ Game Scores were especially tough on the top blue-line pairing of Mike Matheson and Noah Dobson, who were a combined -5. It was also a rare night off the scoresheet for the top line, which was on fire during the win streak.

The Canadiens will have a chance to rebound at home as early as Tuesday against the Florida Panthers, and if Caufield can’t light the lamp then, he’ll get an additional two shots on home ice before the Habs close out the season with two road games.

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