National Hockey League
New Jersey 4, Montreal 3
When: 2:00 PM ET, Saturday, February 24, 2024
Where: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Referees: T.J. Luxmore, Morgan MacPhee
Linesmen: David Brisebois, James Tobias
Attendance: 16514

Nico Hischier scored the tiebreaking goal on a power play with 6:27 remaining as the New Jersey Devils held on for a 4-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens Saturday afternoon in Newark, N.J.

Hischier scored New Jersey's first power-play goal in 18 opportunities since Tyler Toffoli scored with the man advantage against the Los Angeles Kings on Feb. 15.

Hischier's goal was only the Devils' third in their past 48 man advantages spanning 15 games and it occurred 18 seconds after Montreal goalie Jake Allen made a point-blank stop on Jesper Bratt.

After Bratt nearly scored, the Devils regained possession in the defensive zone and quickly moved the puck up ice.

Luke Hughes handed the puck to Toffoli, who found Hischier in the neutral zone. Hischier sped through the slot as Montreal defenseman Mike Matheson tried to defend. As Matheson fell down, Hischier chipped a shot by Allen from near the right side of the crease.

Bratt added an insurance tally on a breakaway three minutes after Hischier scored as the Devils bounced back nicely from a pair of lopsided losses to the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals.

Bratt's goal wound up being the game-winner when Nick Suzuki scored his second goal of the game with 1:51 remaining after Montreal pulled Allen.

Timo Meier and Ondrej Palat scored in the second period. Toffoli contributed two assists and Meier set up Bratt's tally by blocking a shot on Arber Xhekaj.

Brendan Gallagher and Suzuki scored in the second as the Canadiens blew a pair of one-goal leads and dropped their fifth straight.

New Jersey goalie Nico Daws made 23 saves while Allen stopped 20 shots.

With 16:54 remaining in the second, Gallagher ripped a slap shot from the high slot over Daws' right shoulder for a 1-0 lead.

A little over two minutes later, Kevin Bahl got on Toffoli's pass from behind the net. Bahl faked a shot from the left boards but passed to Meier, who was alone at the right side for the redirection.

Following a turnover by Dawson Mercer, Montreal regained the lead with 6:53 remaining when Suzuki ripped a rising wrist shot from the left circle by Daws.

The Devils tied it with 2:10 left when Palat got the rebound of Simon Nemec's shot and used Jack Hughes as a screen to send a shot from the lower edge of the left circle by Evans.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Montreal   New Jersey
Nick Suzuki 2 Points Timo Meier 2
Nick Suzuki 2 Goals Timo Meier 1
Josh Anderson 1 Assists Tyler Toffoli 2
N/A Power Play Goals Nico Hischier 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Jake Allen .833 Save Percentage Nico Daws .885
Jake Allen 20 Saves Nico Daws 23
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Montreal 26 3 0-0 1-2 4 21
New Jersey 24 4 1-2 0-0 0 32
Upcoming Games
  • New Jersey will play their next game at home against Tampa Bay. The Devils have a W/L % of .448 after a win and .571 after a loss.
  • Montreal will play their next game at home against Arizona. The Canadiens have a W/L % of .261 after a win and .457 after a loss.