NEWARK, N.J. — In an impressive display, Jack Hughes contributed significantly to the New Jersey Devils’ victory over the Montreal Canadiens with one goal and two assists, leading the team to a 5-3 win on Thursday night. This result marked the Devils’ fourth win in their last five outings. Jesper Bratt was also pivotal, scoring twice, including a crucial empty-net goal, and adding an assist. Ondrej Palat and defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler rounded out the scoring for New Jersey, while Jacob Markstrom made 21 saves during the game.

For Montreal, Alex Newhook stood out with a pair of goals, and Brendan Gallagher netted another. Goalie Sam Montembeault recorded 22 saves in a challenging outing for the Canadiens, who have now faced a five-game winless streak (0-4-1). From the outset, the Devils seized control of the match with Hughes assisting both Bratt and Palat in the first period to quickly establish a 2-0 lead.

Reflecting on key insights from the matchup, it’s evident that while the Canadiens boast a youthful and dynamic roster capable of generating scoring opportunities, their defensive line appears vulnerable, struggling to effectively clear the zone. Alarmingly, they’ve surrendered a total of 58 goals over their past 14 games. On the other hand, Hughes demonstrated impressive skating skills reminiscent of his early season performance from last year, prior to facing shoulder and knee injuries. His three-point game matched his highest output for the season.

A pivotal moment came while the Devils held a narrow lead of 3-2. Markstrom made several crucial saves against Montreal that prevented the game from leveling, allowing Hughes to capitalize with a goal following an assist from Bratt. This sequence was vital in maintaining the Devils’ advantage, with Bratt later scoring his second goal of the game.

A noteworthy statistic from the game is Bratt’s ongoing scoring streak, which has now reached eight consecutive home games since the beginning of the season. This achievement ties him for the fourth-longest point streak in the franchise’s history, while the record of 11 games is shared by Kirk Muller and Pat Verbeek.

Looking ahead, the Canadiens are scheduled to face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, while the Devils will be heading to Long Island to challenge the New York Islanders.