![\"Hockey](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/canadiens-devils-hockey_302433045.jpg\")
Canadiens\u2019 Cole Caufield (13) shoots against New Jersey Devils goaltender Jake Allen during the third period on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Newark, N.J. Noah K. Murray \/ AP<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t for a lack of trying. Caufield produced a team-high five shots while playing 22:15. He came close on his first shift of the game, and again in the third period, when he made a nice move around defenceman Simon Nemec. And Caufield got warmed up \u2014\u00a0as if he had to \u2014\u00a0by scoring in the shootout, when it counted for the team, but not individually.<\/p>\n
The Canadiens\u2019 next four games are at home. We\u2019re guessing the 50th comes Sunday night, when the Canadiens and Devils meet again. Everything happens for a reason. You can thank us later.<\/p>\n
Highlight of the night: Jakub Dobes<\/a> will score a goal before his career ends. Count on it. But he might want to wait until the opposition pulls its goaltender before making the attempt. If stopping 36 New Jersey shots wasn\u2019t enough, Dobes had a pair of brain cramps \u2014\u00a0albeit entertaining ones \u2014\u00a0in overtime. He wandered far into his corner to retrieve the puck, and nearly committed a costly turnover. Seconds later, for an encore, he played the puck again. It deflected off the Devils\u2019 Nico Hischier and nearly into the empty net. This is why Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis has grey hair \u2014 soon to be followed by goalie coach Marco Marciano.<\/p>\n News you need (Part I): This incredible win streak continues. Montreal has won eight straight and was a perfect 5-0 on this nine-day road trip. This equals the Canadiens\u2019 longest win streak since Oct. 18-Nov. 2, 2016. It\u2019s also the Canadiens\u2019 first 100-point season since 2016-17. With the victory, Montreal (45-21-10) moved into second place in the Atlantic Division, tied with Buffalo, but holding a game in hand. Montreal also is only two points behind division-leading Tampa Bay \u2014\u00a0with the Lightning coming to town Thursday night. This is starting to get interesting.<\/p>\n He exists: Samuel Montembeault<\/a>, who hasn\u2019t played since March 6, and failed to dress the last 12 games, was on the bench, backing up Dobes. That likely means Jacob Fowler starts Sunday night in the rematch. We\u2019re also guessing he returned early to Montreal to get a good night\u2019s sleep?<\/p>\n News you need (Part II): This was Dobes\u2019 fifth consecutive win. His record improved to 27-8-4. Can the Calder Trophy be far behind?<\/p>\n News you need (Part III): The Canadiens hadn\u2019t defeated New Jersey in two years and had only four wins, dating back to 2018. The Devils had been 15-3-1 vs. Montreal.<\/p>\n Strange, but true: This was Caufield\u2019s 12th career game against New Jersey \u2014\u00a0yet he has been held to a modest three goals.<\/p>\n Milestone: Defenceman Mike Matheson was playing his 700th career game.<\/p>\n Best goal scored off one knee: , from the left-wing circle, high under the crossbar, nearly 16 minutes into the game. It was the defenceman\u2019s second goal in six games.<\/p>\n The worst lead in hockey: The Canadiens appeared to be on cruise control halfway through this contest after taking a 3-0 lead. And yet, the game went to overtime and a shootout. This is also why St. Louis has grey hair.<\/p>\n One he\u2019d like back: Dobes didn\u2019t look good on New Jersey\u2019s first goal, scored by Dawson Mercer from a sharp angle.<\/p>\n Which team had the man-advantage?: Slightly more than 15 minutes into the second period, Brenden Dillon took a double high-sticking minor after clipping Zachary Bolduc. The Devils subsequently enjoyed a pair of two-on-one breaks, scoring a shorthanded goal on the second attempt, and providing the home team with a life.<\/p>\n If that wasn\u2019t bad enough: On that goal, scored by Jack Hughes, Bolduc created a turnover by attempting a long pass from end-to-end to Caufield. Bolduc then stopped skating, and forgot to cover Hughes, who scored into the empty net. Other than that, no mistakes were made.<\/p>\n Pass of the night: Hughes\u2019 drop-pass to Timo Meier on the tying goal, scored with 2:15 remaining in regulation.<\/p>\n Memo to the Canadiens\u2019 head coach: We\u2019re not sure why St. Louis keeps tabbing Nick Suzuki in the shootout. Suzuki has failed to score in his last 17 shootout attempts. His last shootout goal came on Dec. 13, 2023.<\/p>\n Sieve of the night: Jake Allen, the former Canadien, was beaten on the 12th and 14th shots he faced. He allowed two goals in a span of 76 seconds. He then was beaten on three of five shootout attempts. His save percentage was .857.<\/p>\n Next time, decline the penalty: The Canadiens went 1-for-5 on the power play.<\/p>\n![\"Hockey](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2269289821_302431575.jpg\")
Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes makes a save against the New Jersey Devils. Andrew Mordzynski \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Hockey](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/canadiens-devils-hockey_302433053.jpg\")
Canadiens defenceman Jayden Struble reacts after scoring against the New Jersey Devils. Noah K. Murray \/ AP<\/p>\n![\"Hockey](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2269292895_302432961.jpg\")
Canadiens\u2019 Lane Hutson (48) and Timo Meier (28) of the New Jersey Devils battle on the ice. Andrew Mordzynski \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n
![\"Hockey](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2269292712_302432977.jpg\")
Canadiens\u2019 Ivan Demidov (93) celebrates after scoring a shootout goal against the New Jersey Devils in Newark. Andrew Mordzynski \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n