Offensive Woes Continue for Devils in 2-1 Loss to Habs

Corey Schneider of the Devils looks to stop Alex Galchenyuk of the Canadiens. Photo Credit: Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images

EAST HANOVER, NJ – Scoring one goal in a span of 120 minutes is not a formula for success in the NHL. For the New Jersey Devils, that fate has led them to two straight losses. After being held scoreless in their last game, they only found the net once in a 2-1 loss to the Canadiens on Wednesday night at Bell Centre in Montreal.

The Devils (20-16-5) played well against a fast, physical Canadiens (23-16-3) team 5 on 5, but they could not get the job done on specials teams. They were 0 for 3 on the power-play and gave up a goal on the penalty kill, as well as one on the man advantage.

“I thought we competed all night, just got burned there on the power play and the shorthanded goal, and it’s a killer when you give up two on special teams like that,” goaltender Corey Schneider told NHL.com.

“They’re a fast team. They’re a transition team. They got going there in the second a little bit with a few rush chances, but that’s my job, is to come up with some saves, but unfortunately it was one short.”

Adam Henrique provided a glimmer of hope for New Jersey when he deflected Andy Greene’s shot from the slot, past Montreal goaltender Mike Condon. That made the score 2-1 just 50 seconds into the third period, but they could not find a way to break through the rest of the way.

Schneider made 23 saves on Wednesday night. He denied time and space on a penalty shot taken by Canadien’s forward David Desharnais, forcing his backhand to go wide. He has not allowed a goal on four penalty tries this season.

The first Montreal goal came under some controversy, but it was upheld by the referees after Coach John Hynes challenged that there was interference on the play.

Max Pacioretty scored with a minute left in the opening frame when he wristed a shot that snuck its way in between Schneider’s pads. Brendan Gallagher was in the crease on the play and appeared to come into contact with the goaltender, but the puck had already crossed the line.

“Obviously they took a look at it, so I don’t think it was interference, but just having a guy planted right there on the edge of the crease… I never really found it again and it just found a way in,” Schneider said. “So I think that just goes to show the value of having someone parked in front of the net like that,” he added.

Torrey Mitchell scored for the Canadiens toward the end of the second period. The Devils were on their third power-play chance, but some poor play near the blue line led to a 2 on 1 offensive chance for the opposition.

Injuries have plagued New Jersey as of late. Mike Cammalleri, the team’s leader in points, sat out his third straight game with an upper body injury. Both Tyler Kennedy and David Schlemko did not play as well due to injuries. To make matters worse, John Moore sustained an injury early in the first and the Devils played with only five defensemen for much of the game.

It’s a challenge just in the sense that when you get several injuries, a lot of times what happens is then things become out of sync,” Devil’s Head Coach John Hynes told NHL.com.

“Your special teams become out of sync, sometimes your line combinations become out of sync, and I think you saw that a little bit [Wednesday] on special teams, which is unfortunate for us, but we’ll find a way to regroup and make sure we’re prepared to play against Boston.”

That game, against the Bruins (20-14-4), will take place this Friday at 7p.m. at the Prudential Center.