MONTREAL (AP) — Jake Allen showcased his exceptional goaltending skills by making 34 impressive saves to secure a shutout victory as his current team, the New Jersey Devils, triumphed over his former team, the Montreal Canadiens, with a commanding 4-0 win on Saturday. Allen, who was traded from Montreal to New Jersey at the end of last season, displayed his prowess by stopping Montreal’s Owen Beck on a critical penalty shot with just 15 seconds remaining in the game, notching his fourth shutout of the season in his 20th start.
Contributions from Jesper Bratt and Jack Hughes, each delivering a goal and an assist, along with goals from Paul Cotter and Luke Hughes, propelled the Devils to their well-deserved victory. Meanwhile, Sam Montembeault made 18 saves for Montreal, who suffered their seventh loss in eight games.
Key Takeaways:
Devils: Allen’s remarkable performance against Montreal marked his second victory over his former team in the span of two weeks, following his 29-save effort in a 4-3 overtime win on Jan. 25.
Canadiens: Despite regrouping after a sluggish start, Montreal struggled to solve Allen’s exceptional goaltending abilities, as he made crucial saves against Cole Caufield and Josh Anderson.
Key Moment:
During the game, in-house announcer Michel Lacroix urged fans at the Bell Centre to show respect during the national anthems, “despite recent events.” This plea comes after fans in Canadian arenas have been booing the American national anthem, likely due to the escalating trade tensions between Canada and the United States. President Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs has caused unrest, reflected in the sporadic jeers from the crowd during the “Star Spangled Banner,” contrasting with the passionate singing of “O Canada.”
Key Stat:
Bratt extended his impressive point streak to eight games, tallying two goals and 10 assists during this remarkable run. Notably, in three matchups against Montreal this season, he has recorded four goals and three assists.
Upcoming:
New Jersey is set to embark on a two-week break for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament before returning to host Dallas on Feb. 22. Meanwhile, Montreal is scheduled to host Tampa Bay on Sunday.
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