Tonight’s lineup
Tonight’s lineup#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/SANMyKld2N
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) January 18, 2024
![Canada starts 2024 with a bang](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/01/Victoire02-800x418.jpg)
For the occasion, it was Samuel Montembeault in front of the Tricolore net. Here’s the rest of the line-up.
Here’s the complete line-up, featuring two former Habs in Tyler Toffoli and Chris Tierney.
#NJDevils lineup v. MTL:
Toffoli – Hischier – Bratt
Meier – McLeod – Mercer
Haula – Lazar – Bastian
WIllman – Tierney – HoltzMarino – Nemec
Hughes – Miller
Bahl – Foote
Daws (3rd straight)
– Sam Kasan (@samikasan) January 18, 2024
We wondered if the Habs would come out strong… and even if it was laborious early in the first period, it was still the Tricolore who found the back of the net first.
A magnificent pass from Cole Caufield allowed Juraj Slafkovský to open the scoring.
He was in the right place
Right place, right time#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/6D8CWmqzwE
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) January 18, 2024
You’re free to make up your own mind about the gesture… but I’m inclined to think that Meier deserves an Oscar for his performance.
Jake Evans got an embellishment penalty with less reaction than this two nights ago… pic.twitter.com/kyxgRV5PDS
– Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) January 18, 2024
At the start of the second period, Samuel Montembeault continued the excellent work he’d started in the first period, finding the back of the net on more than one occasion.
He’s really on fire.
(More) Samuel Montembeault saves: pic.twitter.com/o4gcHCWfiD
– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) January 18, 2024
And speaking of guys on fire, Joshua Roy had an excellent first period. The Quebecer did it again with a good second period… and his efforts were rewarded.
Sean Monahan’s generosity (and Simon Nemec’s poor defensive play) allowed Roy to score his first career NHL goal.
HIS FIRST NHL GOAL!!!!
HIS 1ST NHL GOAL!!!!#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/s7YhFAcZCo
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) January 18, 2024
Luke makes it look easy. pic.twitter.com/jjqQkhG5NA
– New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) January 18, 2024
That puck had a family, Alexander! pic.twitter.com/SvAhaRFbsH
– New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) January 18, 2024
There were chances on both sides… but it wasn’t until late in the third period that one team took the lead.
And in the end, it was Cole Caufield’s goal that put the Habs back in front. He’s on fire again, this one: he now has six points from his last four games.
a guy of great opportunities
Officially on
#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/5egA5n9emq
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) January 18, 2024
A huge blocked shot from Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, among others, sealed the game for the Habs.
Overtime
– The Habs didn’t have a perfect game tonight, but at even strength, they were pretty solid. The club really needs to avoid penalties considering its horrible short-handed performance, but at 5v5, it’s encouraging to see.
– Cole Caufield (23) isn’t much older, either. Youth put on a show in Montreal tonight.
Juraj Slafkovský & Joshua Roy
First pair of Canadiens teammates age 20 or younger to score in the same road game since Brendan Gallagher & Alex Galchenyuk on April 11, 2013 @ Buffalo#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/8hRtgi1plN
– Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) January 18, 2024
– Joshua Roy had (by far) his best NHL game tonight. His first two games felt a little more timid and self-effacing, but today he took charge and we saw him play up to his talent. There will be difficult moments as he adapts to the best league in the world (and that’s perfectly normal), but the potential is obvious when you watch him play.
– Hats off to whoever predicted this.
Joel Armia is the Habs’ most-used forward after 47 minutes against the Devils.
– Marc Antoine Godin (@MAGodin) January 18, 2024