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The Canadiens couldn't clinch a playoff spot tonight, but they could cut the magic number to one.
Jakub Dobes returned to the net, backed up by Samuel Montembeault.
Here are the lineups:
Tonight's lineup
Tonight's lineup#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/CFVEle7wRY
— Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) April 4, 2026
Full projected lines for the #NJDevils
vs the #GoHabsGo
courtesy of @NJDevilsPR
: #NJDevils
:
Meier – Hischier – Mercer
Bratt – J. Hughes – Brown
Hameenaho – Glass – Bjugstad
Cotter – McLaughlin – HalonenSiegenthaler – Hamilton
L. Hughes – Kovacevic
Dillon – NemecAllen…
— Emma Leonardi (@eleonardimedia) April 4, 2026
In pursuit of his 50th goal, it wasn't Cole Caufield who opened the scoring.
He did, however, assist on Jayden Struble's goal. What a goal!
There's a bit of Cole Caufield in that Jayden Struble goal 🤣 pic.twitter.com/Ah0lajEwuI
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) April 4, 2026
Caufield was on fire in the first period.
He finished the period with two shots and threatened the net several times.
In the second period, Caufield once again showcased his playmaking skills. He assisted on Ivan Demidov's 16th goal, which also marked Demidov's 60th point of the season.
He doesn't mess around with the puck
Demi on the doorstep, and we double our lead#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/MzbkuCodhk
— Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) April 5, 2026
Caufield ultimately didn't score in the game.
He'll have a chance to redeem himself tomorrow in front of his fans.
Moments later, Lane Hutson capitalized on a mistake by Jake Allen to triple the lead.
Can we rename it the “Hutson River”?
Our official petition to rename it the “Hutson River” #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/ZP68RdAbUV
— Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) April 5, 2026
The Devils, however, weren't done yet.
They scored two goals late in the period to cut the deficit.
I can already see the criticism coming on RVH, but… if you can put the puck in a mouse hole, credit to the shooter https://t.co/c7u1v392UT
— Nicolas Cloutier (@NCloutierTVA) April 5, 2026
The Devils narrow the gap in the 2nd period thanks to a shorthanded goal by Jack Hughes 😳 pic.twitter.com/63A5Sx0yvK
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) April 5, 2026
Late in the game, the Devils tied it up.
Timo Meier sent everyone into overtime.
Timo Meier sends everyone back to square one in New Jersey! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/14ziPcMhqw
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) April 5, 2026
No one found the back of the net in overtime: time for a shootout. Here's a recap:
Paul Cotter SAVED
Cole Caufield GOAL
Jesper Bratt GOAL
Ivan Demidov GOAL
Jack Hughes GOAL
Nick Suzuki SAVED
Lenni Hämeenaho SAVED
Juraj Slafkovsky SHOT
Oliver Kapanen GOAL
Final score: 4-3. It may not have been a run-of-the-mill victory, but the Habs won all five games on their road trip, including the first four in regulation. That's their eighth straight win overall.
With this win, combined with the Sabres' loss, the Habs, who have 100 points, are now in second place in the Atlantic Division. Tampa Bay is two points ahead of Montreal.
Martin St-Louis's team can clinch a playoff spot as early as tomorrow against the Devils. They need at least one overtime loss, though they could even clinch before their game.
Here are the scenarios for the Canadiens to clinch tomorrow
Detroit loses
(1:00 PM vs. MIN)
or Ottawa
loses
(5:00 PM vs. CAR)
or Montreal
earns at
least one point (7:00 PM vs. NJ)— Guillaume Villemaire (@GVillemaire13) April 5, 2026
Overtime
– What was he doing?
WHAT IS GOING ON!!! pic.twitter.com/R0zJTHDUIt
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) April 5, 2026
– Listen up.
As Caufield approaches the 50-goal mark, Martin St-Louis recalls his Art Ross Trophy runs 👀 @RLavoieTVA pic.twitter.com/uWYKP2fbR4
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) April 4, 2026
– Yes.
#Habs Jakub Dobes looks so much more composed in his crease since Marco Marciano took over from Eric Raymond as goalie coach.
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) April 5, 2026
– HFTV's reaction.
ANOTHER ONE FROM HUTSON 🤯 pic.twitter.com/u10ew4s4HP
— HFTV (@HFTVSports) April 5, 2026
– It happens.
The Habs are having a really rough stretch defensively.
— Nicolas Cloutier (@NCloutierTVA) April 5, 2026
– Stay tuned.
Friedman on Saturday Headlines says Panthers AGM Sunny Mehta is expected to be a target for the Maple Leafs.
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) April 5, 2026
